A CANDLE-LIT procession made its way through the streets of Ballymurphy in west Belfast last night as families rededicated their fight for justice for those killed by British soldiers nearly 50 years ago.

Relatives attended mass before marching with photos of the 11 unarmed civilians who died when British soldiers went on a three-day killing spree in August 1971.

They have fought a long campaign for justice for those murdered in what became known as the Ballymurphy Massacre. The British Army claimed the victims were Republican gunmen. Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster has admitted using her influence to block funding for an investigation while she was first minister at Stormont.

Families have given evidence in harrowing testimonies about their loved ones at the inquest which opened earlier this month.

Briege Voyle, the daughter of Joan Connolly, who was killed in the massacre, said she was sad that families were still marching after 47 years to remember their loved ones.

“It just isn’t fair,” she said. “Hopefully with these inquests this time next year we’ll have something good to say: that our loved ones are 100 per cent innocent, the world will know they are innocent.”

Sinn Fein MP for West Belfast Paul Maskey told the gathering that he and the people of Belfast were in awe of the campaigners in their pursuit of justice.

“Your campaign has been relentless. You have taken it to the streets. You have taken it round the world. People know your loved ones are innocent. They believed your story. And I believe the British government know your loved ones are innocent, but they buried it for years,” he said.

Mr Maskey said “justice delayed was justice denied,” although he believed that “justice will prevail.”

The inquest continued today with soldier B/M3 giving evidence to the court.