Body to be exhumed as part of investigation into Army unit

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Friday, 18 November 2016 14:22

The body of man shot dead by the Army over 40 years ago is to be exhumed.

Daniel Rooney, 18, was shot in the St James Crescent area of west Belfast on 26th September 1972.

Detectives from the PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch will carry out the exhumation at Milltown cemetery on the Falls Road on Monday 21st November.

It's part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of the the Military Reaction Force.

The Army unit operated in Belfast in the early 1970s.

The wide-ranging probe was triggered after a referral by Northern Ireland's Director of Public Prosecutions Barra McGrory.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness, said:

“We have been liaising with the family in relation to this and will continue to work closely with them as we move to the next stage of this sensitive operation.

“I would also ask media to treat this sensitively, being mindful of the fact this is a difficult time for the family.”