Francis Bradley inquest: Lethal force was ‘justified’

The legal team for Mr Bradley’s family had alleged Soldier C had “executed” him as he lay wounded.

Speaking outside the court, solicitor Ciarán Shiels said that a judicial review of the coroner’s findings is an option on the grounds that the findings are “unreasonable”, “irrational” and “ultimately unlawful”.

Mr Shiels described it as “shocking” that the coroner chose to believe the soldier who “wouldn’t answer any questions about his account from 37 years ago”.

The inquest heard it claimed months before he died, and while under arrest, police had told him he would not see his 21st birthday.

When he was shot dead, they described him as “an important member of the Provisional IRA”.

At the time the IRA denied it, but Mr Bradley’s name was later added to the organisation’s ‘roll of honour’.

The inquest finished hearing evidence just before the Legacy Act came into force in May.

It bans future inquests related to the Troubles – but the government has said it plans to change the law to reinstate them.

As Mr Bradley’s inquest had heard all evidence prior to the deadline, it was able to deliver findings.