John Patrick Cunningham

John Patrick Cunningham was shot and killed by British soldiers (Life Guard Regiment) in fields near his home at Benburb, County Armagh, on Saturday 15 June 1974 at approx. 11.50 am.

1974
Benburb, Co. Armagh
State Violence

54.41178, -6.7439400000001

The two soldiers responsible have had four opportunities to explain their actions. They have refused to do so. Neither has ever been subject to disciplinary procedures.

John Pat was 27-years-old and would be described today as a vulnerable adult. He had a mental age of between 6 and 10. He also had a fear of men in uniforms.

Related content

  • Statement on behalf of the family of John Pat Cunningham following the arrest of a 73-year-old man in England

    PFC
    21 April 2015
    "A spokesperson for the PFC has confirmed that the PSNI was in contact earlier this morning to advise the family of murdered Armagh man, John Pat Cunningham, that a man had been arrested in England and brought back to NI for questioning in connection with his death.

  • No confidence in PSNI investigation

    Press Release
    07 October 2013
    The family of a Tyrone man murdered by British soldiers outside Benburb in 1974 have called on the PSNI to "respect the wishes of the family and stop any PSNI review or re-investigation of the killing." John Patrick Cunningham, (27) a vulnerable adult, was shot in the back by soldiers of the Life...

  • John Patrick Cunningham

    Statement by Alan Brecknell (PFC)
    19 March 2013
    Thank you all for coming. You should all have a briefing note giving full details about the killing of John Patrick Cunningham who was shot by two British soldiers in the Life Guard Regiment near his home at Benburb, County Armagh, on Saturday 15 June 1974 at approx. 11.50 am. Our concern is not...

  • Death of John Pat Cunningham

    Statement by Charlie Agnew on behalf of the Cunningham and Agnew families
    19 March 2013
    John Pat – my uncle – who would now have been in his late-sixties, was murdered by the British Army. He was deliberately shot dead by heavily-armed and trained soldiers. This was not an instinctive or defensive reaction to any perceived threat. The two soldiers who fired at John Pat had leaped over...

  • Briefing paper for families on British army killings, investigations, prosecutions + LIB/PSNI fact sheet

    PFC
    24 February 2017
    UPDATE FOR FAMILIES: British Army killings/ prosecutions etc. There has been extensive media coverage recently covering the alleged “witch-hunt” against former members of the British Army for actions carried out during the conflict. There has also been speculation that the British government would...

  • "I AM JOHN PAT CUNNINGHAM"

    London, 16th Sept, 11am
    14 September 2017
    This weekend Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans are organising a protest in London entitled "I AM DENNIS HUTCHINGS". (11am at Horse Guard Parade London). Hutchings is currently being prosecuted for the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham, a vulnerable adult, in Benburb in 1974.(Full case...

  • Supreme Court reject Hutchings appeal

    06 June 2019
    Former soldier Dennis Hutchings has lost his appeal to the UK Supreme Court this morning (06.06.19). In 2015, Hutchings was charged with the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in Benburb, Co Tyrone, in 1974, and with attempting to cause him grievous bodily harm. On 20 April 2016, the Director...

  • Statement from the family of John Pat Cunningham after the unveiling of a memorial to Dennis Hutchings at Palace Barracks

    20 September 2022
    This week (20.09.22) the PFC wrote to the NIO seeking a response to the two statements released by the family of John Pat Cunningham, reproduced below. At the family's request we have asked the new Secretary of State, Chris Heaton -Harris, for a response. STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF JOHN PAT...