Beserk Brit shoots Belfast man
other British soldier has gone beserk in West Belfast, just four months
after the incident involving trooper Eddie Maggs,who shot dead his corporal
and seriously wounded another soldier before being killed himself.
On this occasion however,the crazy Brit attempted to murder six young
people standing outside a chemist's shop in Andersonstown. Late last Monday
night, 18-year-old Private Gary Gibson of the 1st Battalion King's Regiment
absconded with a loaded rifle from Fort Monagh army fort near Turf Lodge.
He had only another 24 hours to serve in Belfast before the four-month tour
of the King's men was over.
William Boyle from Whitecliff Cresent had just left the Glenowen Inn at
11.30pm with five friends when they noticed the lone soldier coming down
the road.
The lads had a `carry out' of drink and proceeded to make their way to the
Gransha shops. At a chemist's shop they then noticed a foot patrol coming
down Gransha Avenue, not far from where Gibson was. Gibson crossed the Glen
Road, took aim at the six lads in the full view of the other soldiers, and
opened fire. William Boyle says: ``He fired one shot at us which went
through my leather coat and struck my friend. It went through his hand, and
then through his side. We then dived for cover on the ground''.
Phoblacht 30 June,1979.
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