A former British soldier will stand trial for manslaughter next month over the killing of a young Catholic man more than 30 years ago.
Aidan McAnespie, 23, was shot dead in February 1988 on the Tyrone-Monaghan border.
He had just walked through the checkpoint at Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, on his way to Aghaloo GAA grounds to play a football match when he was killed.
The British Army claims Mr McAnespie was hit by one of three bullets accidentally fired from a machine gun. However, witnesses recall only one shot being fired around the time Mr McAnespie was fatally wounded.
The soldier who fired the shot, David Holden, maintains the shooting happened when his wet hands slipped while moving a heavy machine gun.
Mr Holden, 50, appeared before Dungannon Magistrates Court today, where District Court Judge Amanda Brady ruled there is sufficient evidence for Mr Holden to stand trial for manslaughter.
Mr Holden, whose address was given as care of his lawyer in Belfast, was 18 at the time of the incident and a member of the Grenadier Guardsmen.
He had previously been charged with manslaughter, but the charge was dropped in September 1988.
In 2016, Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service launched a review of that decision, and in 2018, charged Mr Holden with gross negligence manslaughter.
A preliminary investigation took place earlier this year where Mr Holden's lawyers challenged some of the prosecution evidence and today's ruling is the result of that process.
Addressing the court, Judge Brady said she had to be satisfied there was sufficient evidence that a reasonable jury, properly directed, could convict Mr Holden of manslaughter.
She said there is sufficient evidence in the case for Mr Holden to stand trial.
Judge Brady also dismissed a defence application that the defendant could not receive a fair trial due to the 32-year delay since the incident.
Defence lawyers had contended any trial would be prejudicial owing to the passing of time.
Mr Holden did not speak throughout the 25-minute hearing, except to say 'No' when asked whether he had anything to say or any evidence or witnesses to present.
He was remanded on his own bail of £500 to appear again before Laganside Crown Court on Friday 14 February.
Members of Mr McAnespie's family were in court, along with representatives from the Pat Finucane Centre.
Reporting by Barry Lenihan
