First Minister Arlene Foster is among a range of politicians who have reacted to the news that the ten people killed in Ballymurphy, West Belfast in 1971 were innocent.

The British Army was found responsible for nine of the deaths of 10 people in Ballymurphy in August 1971, including a mother-of-eight and a Catholic priest, following fresh inquests.

Presiding Coroner Mrs Justice Keegan acknowledged it was a chaotic time but ruled that the use of force by soldiers had been “disproportionate” in the deaths the Army was found to have been responsible for.

Posting on Twitter the Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA said: “This has been a long road for the Ballymurphy families. 50 years later, the court has considered the evidence and the findings should be accepted. I commend the families for their tenacity.

In a follow-up tweet Mrs Foster said: “Lots of lessons to be learned. Grief is grief. Justice must be blind. Too many empty chairs across NI and unanswered questions.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said it had been a “powerful day” for the families of the victims who lost their lives at Ballymurphy.

“It has laid bare for all to see that the British forces murdered their family members, their innocent family members,” she said.

“They have always known that and now the whole world sees that is the case.”

 Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he was never in any doubt that the victims of the Ballymurphy massacre were innocent.

He told the Dail: “It’s been a very harrowing experience for many, many relatives.

“There have been many false dawns in terms of trying to get closure or trying to get justice in relation to this.”