Derry man died as a result of a fall after being struck by a rubber bullet - Judge

Thomas Friel (21) died on May 22 1973 after being brought to Altnagelvin Hospital with head injuries on May 18, 1973.

An inquest held back in 1974 returned an open verdict.

A further inquest was ordered, and in 2021 a Coroner ruled that Mr Friel's injuries were as a result of a stone striking him during the rioting.

These findings however were quashed by the High Court and another inquest was ordered.

On Friday Judge Mark Reel acting as Coroner gave his ruling that Thomas Friel died of injuries when he struck his head on the ground after he was struck by a rubber bullet.

He said that the timings of events suggested that the account given by the soldiers were inaccurate, and he added that information had been inserted into statements by those taking them.

The Coroner said that one soldier described the statement-taking process by the Royal Military Police as 'a relaxed process' and said the RMO were 'on their side'.

Judge Reel said that the rubber bullet was so inaccurate that it was almost impossible to refer to an aimed shot.

The Coroner said that in all likelihood, Thomas Friel was struck by a rubber bullet fired by Soldier B and then fell, striking his head causing the injuries.