15/06/2010
PM Blames Paras For Bloody Sunday
The Prime Minister has told the House of Commons that British forces were to blame for the death of all those killed on Bloody Sunday - whom he said were all innocent civilians.
Quoting from the Saville Report David Cameron said that no warning had been given to any civilians before the soldiers opened fire and that none of the soldiers had fired in response to attacks by petrol bombers or stone throwers.
The British Prime Minister said that some of those killed or injured were clearly fleeing or going to help those injured or dying and insisted that none of the casualties was posing a threat or doing anything that would justify their shooting.
He said there's "no point in trying to soften or equivocate" - and that the events of Bloody Sunday were "not justified".
This was made worse by the fact that many of the soldiers lied about their actions.
He said that "what happened should never, ever have happened" and that "some members of the British armed forces acted wrongly".
On the same day as three UK servicemen died in the Afghanistan conflict he went further and said, on behalf of the Government and the country, he was "deeply sorry" for the events of Bloody Sunday.
The 30 January 1972 saw 13 marchers shot dead after paratroopers opened fire on crowds at a civil rights demonstration.
Fourteen others were wounded, one of whom later died. The report found that the Army fired the first shot.
There has been no indication as yet if there has been any recommendation regarding prosecutions.
See: Saville Inquiry To Report In June
See: Grim Afghanistan Total Rises Again
(BMcC/GK)
Quoting from the Saville Report David Cameron said that no warning had been given to any civilians before the soldiers opened fire and that none of the soldiers had fired in response to attacks by petrol bombers or stone throwers.
The British Prime Minister said that some of those killed or injured were clearly fleeing or going to help those injured or dying and insisted that none of the casualties was posing a threat or doing anything that would justify their shooting.
He said there's "no point in trying to soften or equivocate" - and that the events of Bloody Sunday were "not justified".
This was made worse by the fact that many of the soldiers lied about their actions.
He said that "what happened should never, ever have happened" and that "some members of the British armed forces acted wrongly".
On the same day as three UK servicemen died in the Afghanistan conflict he went further and said, on behalf of the Government and the country, he was "deeply sorry" for the events of Bloody Sunday.
The 30 January 1972 saw 13 marchers shot dead after paratroopers opened fire on crowds at a civil rights demonstration.
Fourteen others were wounded, one of whom later died. The report found that the Army fired the first shot.
There has been no indication as yet if there has been any recommendation regarding prosecutions.
See: Saville Inquiry To Report In June
See: Grim Afghanistan Total Rises Again
(BMcC/GK)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 March 2010
Adams On Rack Over IRA
Voices from the grave have come back to haunt one of Ireland's top republican politicians. The Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is facing renewed allegations that he was "in the IRA" with the latest claims made by a senior republican Brendan 'Darkie' Hughes in interviews with US academics carried out before he died in 2008.
Adams On Rack Over IRA
Voices from the grave have come back to haunt one of Ireland's top republican politicians. The Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is facing renewed allegations that he was "in the IRA" with the latest claims made by a senior republican Brendan 'Darkie' Hughes in interviews with US academics carried out before he died in 2008.
05 March 2010
Bloody Sunday Report Imminent
The North's British Secretary has said he hopes to be in a position to publish Lord Saville's report into Bloody Sunday within days of receiving it. The families had feared that the publication of the 5,000-page report, which took 12 years and cost £200m, could be delayed until the forthcoming general election was over.
Bloody Sunday Report Imminent
The North's British Secretary has said he hopes to be in a position to publish Lord Saville's report into Bloody Sunday within days of receiving it. The families had feared that the publication of the 5,000-page report, which took 12 years and cost £200m, could be delayed until the forthcoming general election was over.
14 March 2019
FF: Prosecution Of Bloody Sunday Soldier 'Significant'
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin TD has commended the "dignity and bravery" of the Bloody Sunday families today, as it was revealed that one former soldier will be charged with the murders of two men. It follows an announcement by the Public Prosecution Service that 'Soldier F' will be charged with murdering James Wray and William McKinney.
FF: Prosecution Of Bloody Sunday Soldier 'Significant'
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin TD has commended the "dignity and bravery" of the Bloody Sunday families today, as it was revealed that one former soldier will be charged with the murders of two men. It follows an announcement by the Public Prosecution Service that 'Soldier F' will be charged with murdering James Wray and William McKinney.
23 September 2011
Bloody Sunday Cash Re-opens Old Wounds
The families of RUC and Army Troubles' victims have been sidelined, it has been claimed.
Bloody Sunday Cash Re-opens Old Wounds
The families of RUC and Army Troubles' victims have been sidelined, it has been claimed.
04 March 2010
Bloody Sunday 'Gaff' Angers Families
The North's Alliance party leader David Ford is prepared to meet with the families of those killed on Bloody Sunday to explain his views on an inquiry into the 1972 incident. A leaked briefing note, written by Mr Ford last November, described the multi-million pound inquiry into the 14 deaths as "pointless".
Bloody Sunday 'Gaff' Angers Families
The North's Alliance party leader David Ford is prepared to meet with the families of those killed on Bloody Sunday to explain his views on an inquiry into the 1972 incident. A leaked briefing note, written by Mr Ford last November, described the multi-million pound inquiry into the 14 deaths as "pointless".