Former soldier charged in connection with death of disabled Northern Irish man in 1974

Dennis Hutchings appeared in court today and has been granted bail

John Pat Cunningham was just 27 when he was killed (PA)

A former soldier has been charged in connection with the death of a man with learning difficulties in Northern Ireland more than 40 years ago.

John Pat Cunningham, who had a mental age between six and ten, was shot by members of a British Army patrol in a field in Benburb, County Armagh in June 1974.

A 73-year-old Dennis Hutchings, whose address is near Torpoint in Cornwall, has been charged with the murder of Mr Cunningham. He appeared at Omagh Magistrates Court in Country Tyrone today and was granted bail.

Mr Hutchings was arrested in England on Tuesday and taken for questioning in Northern Ireland.

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s legacy investigations branch reopened the case after evidence from the incident was re-examined.

Mr Cunningham, 27, had a fear of uniformed men and was running away from the Army patrol when he was killed.

The British government formally apologised for his death in 2013.

Additional reporting by Press Association