Teenage schoolboy Paul Whitters was shot dead by the RUC in 1981
THE NORTH’S new Secretary James Brokenshire has met the uncle of a Derry schoolboy who died after being struck with a plastic bullet.
Paul Whitters was 15 when he was killed in 1981.
His uncle, Tony Brown, says the family have been denied justice.
Today, Mr Brown was part of a delegation from the Pat Finucane Centre who met Mr Brokenshire during his first visit to Derry in an effort to make progress on the past.
In 2007, a Police Ombudsman report criticised an RUC investigation of the case.
Paul’s uncle, Tony Brown, said it was a productive meeting and that he was “cautiously optimistic”.
Paul Whitters was wearing a mask and throwing stones at windows when he was shot by a police officer on Great James Street 35 years ago.
The incident had followed a day of rioting in and around the Bogside area of Derry during the IRA hunger strikes.
The police had said the baton round was fired to prevent a lorry being hijacked.
“Paul’s death was never properly investigated and that made a mockery of the inquest,” Mr Brown said.
“There was no warning given. Paul was shot at a range which was unacceptable, within the regulations at the time.
“We subsequently learned that the plastic bullet gun was defective.
“The most appalling thing was that Paul was dragged from the scene where he was shot, there was no attempt made to preserve the scene for forensic reasons.”
Mr Brown said they were delighted that Mr Brokenshire had met them so soon after getting the job.
“Nineteen secretaries of state later, I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ve had a proactive engagement,” he added.
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