A BROTHER of an innocent man killed by the British army says he has no interest in an apology.
Paddy McElhone (24) died instantly near his home in Pomeroy, Co Tyrone, in 1974 after he was shot in the back by a soldier from the First Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Wales.
A coroner yesterday ruled that the shot through the heart was unjustified and against the military’s rule book on engagements.
Mrs Justice Keegan said the young farmer was innocent and was not on any list associating him with the IRA.
His brother Mickey (75) explained how the “cold blooded” killing devastated his family.
Both his parents were dead within four years. Another brother, Barney, who was close to Paddy, was institutionalised and has never returned home.
Mr McElhone spoke of how the tragedy took its toll on his father Peter, who died in 1976, with his mother Margaret Ellen following her husband in 1978.
Mr McElhone was shot in the back by Lance Corporal Roy Alun Jones, who has since died.
Mickey McElhone last night spoke of his relief at the coroner's findings.
"I feel very, very good about it and it takes a load off me," he said.
"I am carrying that load a long time, looking forward to seeing if there could be something done."
Mr McElhone said he still has vivid memories of the day his younger brother was brought home from hospital by his mother Margaret Ellen.
"Paddy was a late child," he said.
"I remember Paddy coming home, he was born in Omagh hospital."
Mr McElhone said his brother was a big baby and had "full head of ginger hair".
He spoke of how his brother "grew up a good lad and" had a "great interest" in Pomeroy Accordion Band.
With a strong interest in music he said his brother "loved the reels and gigs".
"He was (called) 'the child' until he was eight or nine," Mickey said.
"He turned out to be a talented lad."
"He harmed nobody and went about his business and he liked céiliing about the country."
Mr McElhone, who is a father-of-four, revealed how the aftermath of his brother's death is etched on his memory.
"I will never forget my mother roaring and crying," he said.
"My father and mother cried until they died."
He spoke of how the tragedy took its toll on his father Peter, who died in 1976, with his mother following her husband in 1978.
"It closed the door of the old house," he said.
"It finished our home and it was a happy wee home and my mother was a jolly wee woman."
He explained how another brother Barney, who was close to Paddy, was institutionalised after the killing and has never returned home.
"It shows every scar that Jones left about this place," he said.
He said that before the killing people would have visited the homestead.
"There wasn't much money but everybody was very happy," he said.
"The happiness went out through the window at the finish."
Mr McElhone said he is not bothered if the British army apologies
"I don't care, an apology would be worth nothing," he said.
He said that if he had a chance to speak to the soldier who killed his brother "I would ask him a question, why did you shoot my good brother Paddy?
"What threat was he to you? He was unarmed and going about his daily work and Lance Corporal Alun Jones if that's how you go about getting your medals or trophies for your bravery, your medals or your trophies would not be worth much."
Speaking outside court, his sister, Mary McCourt, said: "Thank God this day we have finally got justice at last after this length of time.
"We always knew that Paddy was innocent but everyone else knows it now.
"He was an innocent young man doing his day's work, working out in the hay field.
"We are glad we have finally got justice after 46 years."
Members of the McElhone family were among 3,500 relatives who wrote a letter to the British and Irish governments this week calling for the implementation of legacy mechanisms.
Mid Ulster MP Francie Molloy last night said: "This is a vindication for the McElhone family who have campaigned for truth for all these years."
Aontu deputy leader Denise Mullen said: "It's inadequate that the family had to wait 46 years for an inquest."
A MoD spokesperson said: “We note the findings from the inquest, which we have assisted throughout. We are in the process of reviewing the Coroner’s findings.”
