The second Catholic youth to be shot dead by security forces in less than a fortnight.
The shooting of 22 year old Thomas Reilly, also known as Kidso, took place at around 5 pm at the Springfield Road in Belfast close to his home on the Turf Lodge housing estate.
Local people say Thomas Reilly and a group of friends were dispersing after scuffles had taken place with the British Army foot patrol around the corner on the Whiterock Road. Eye witnesses say a soldier fired a single shot at the youths who were going away from them.
Thomas Reilly was hit in the upper body and was dead on admission to hospital.
As the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) moved into the area where the incident happened, they got a hostile reception and came under stone and petrol bomb attack.
Sinn Féin politicians Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness were quickly at the scene. Local people say the RUC fired a plastic bullet at those gathered around the dying youth.
Following the shooting of unarmed 18-year-old Martin Malone in Armagh on 30 July 1983, Thomas Reilly is the second catholic youth to be shot dead by security forces in less than a fortnight.
There is bitter anger from those at the scene who allege that Thomas Reilly's killing was a deliberate act. One eye witness insists Thomas Reilly was murdered,
He done nothing he was walking up that road and he was shot.
Thomas Reilly worked as a road manager and merchandiser for a number of high profile bands and toured with acts such as Depeche Mode, Altered Images, Fun Boy Three, Spandau Ballet and Bananarama. His death inspired Spandau Ballet’s 1986 hit song 'Through the Barricades’ as well as ‘King of the Jungle’ and ‘Rough Justice’ by Bananarama. Thomas Reilly’s brother Jim Reilly played drums for the Belfast punk band Stiff Little Fingers from 1979 to 1981.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 9 August 1983. The reporter is Poilín Ní Chiaráin.
