Northern Ireland

File sent to PPS by police investigating 1971 killing of Derry schoolgirl Annette McGavigan

The teenager was shot dead during rioting in the Bogside area, and became the 100th Troubles victim

Annette McGavigan was 14 when she was shot dead during rioting in Londonderry (McGavigan family/PA)
Annette McGavigan was 14 when she was shot dead during rioting in Derry.

A file has been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service by police investigating the fatal shooting of a Catholic schoolgirl in Derry in 1971.

Annette McGavigan was shot dead when British soldiers moved in to quash rioting in the Bogside.

The 14-year-old was in her school uniform and was holding an ice-cream when she was shot in the back of the head.

She became the 100th person killed in the Troubles, and to date, no-one has been convicted over her death.

In September of last year, a former British soldier was questioned by police in relation to Annette’s death.

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The PSNI confirmed a file was sent to the PPS last month.



The schoolgirl’s family have previously spoken of their fears that the UK’s new Troubles legacy legislation would prevent them seeing justice done.

The bill, passed last September, offers a conditional amnesty for those involved in Troubles deaths.

Prosecutions currently ongoing will continue, but cases after May 1 will be the responsibility of a new independent body to investigate killings. Conditional amnesties for those who comply with the body will be available to both former security force members and former paramilitaries.

The legislation is facing legal challenges, including by the Irish government.

Northern Ireland Troubles
A proptest against the British government's Troubles legacy Bill. PICTURE: STEFAN ROUSSEAU/PA

Last month the High Court in Belfast ruled conditional immunity under the law was a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, in a case brought by relatives of Troubles victims.

The PPS has confirmed the file was submitted by the PSNI ahead of “thorough consideration”, and a decision will be issued “as soon as possible”.