The North’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has decided not to pursue prosecutions in relation to three historic Troubles killings, including that of the first child to be killed in the conflict, nine-year-old Patrick Rooney. But almost 51 years since the killings the PPS on Thursday announced that no one is to be prosecuted. Con Rooney, brother of Patrick, said the family which includes his mother Alice were “very disappointed” at the decision. The killing of Patrick Rooney is the first story in Joe Duffy and Irish Times Northern Correspondent Freya McClement’s book, Children of the Troubles and the sixth death of the Troubles recorded in the book Lost Lives. One former RUC officer was considered for the child’s killing.

Source: The Irish Times July 30, 2020 18:45 UTC