Image caption,

Daniel Hegarty, 15, was shot dead by a soldier during Operation Motorman in 1972

By Claire Graham

BBC News NI

The family of a teenage boy shot dead in Londonderry in 1972 have successfully challenged a decision not to prosecute the soldier who killed him.

Daniel Hegarty was 15 when he was shot twice in the head by a soldier.

In July 2021, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced it was dropping the prosecution of the veteran known as Soldier B.

The Court of Appeal has now quashed that decision.

In his judgment on Thursday, Mr Justice Treacy said it came after "anxious scrutiny" of the details.

The appeal was put forward by Daniel's sister Margaret Brady.

Her legal team said they welcomed the decision.

Operation Motorman

Daniel, who was a labourer, was shot during an Army operation in the Creggan area of Derry on 31 July 1972.

It was during Operation Motorman, the name given to a military operation by the Army to reclaim "no-go areas" set up by republican paramilitaries in towns across Northern Ireland.