Menu
14/03/2019
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.
Charges will also be brought for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell.
13 people died on 30 January 1972 when troops fired more than 100 shots as trouble broke out at a civil rights march in L'Derry.
17 soldiers faced the possibility of prosecution, with the PPS finding insufficient evidence to prosecute the 16 others and two Official IRA men.
Responding to the announcement, after the bereaved families expressed their "terrible disappointment" at the decision, Deputy Martin said: "Since the murder of the 14 people in 1972 the journey to this point has been a long and tortuous one. Indeed, it took many years for the British government to eventually acknowledge state involvement in any murders. This process has been very worthwhile so that the people who were murdered are never forgotten and also to inform all people on this island of the bitter history of Northern Ireland before the Good Friday Agreement was finalised in 1998.
"It is clear from what Mr Stephen Herron said that the PPS had difficulties considering evidence that was not admissible due to the strict rules and he also added that the rules on probability are greater than standard criminal cases. This is why other mechanisms can assist the families if both governments could agree to establish them.
"Notwithstanding the families' inevitable disappointment today, the prosecution of Soldier F is significant given the denial of the British government for many years. The families of the victims should be honoured for their determination, dignity and continued bravery on behalf of those who were so brutally murdered and they will continue to be supported."
(JG/CM)
It follows an announcement by the Public Prosecution Service that 'Soldier F' will be charged with murdering James Wray and William McKinney.
Charges will also be brought for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell.
13 people died on 30 January 1972 when troops fired more than 100 shots as trouble broke out at a civil rights march in L'Derry.
17 soldiers faced the possibility of prosecution, with the PPS finding insufficient evidence to prosecute the 16 others and two Official IRA men.
Responding to the announcement, after the bereaved families expressed their "terrible disappointment" at the decision, Deputy Martin said: "Since the murder of the 14 people in 1972 the journey to this point has been a long and tortuous one. Indeed, it took many years for the British government to eventually acknowledge state involvement in any murders. This process has been very worthwhile so that the people who were murdered are never forgotten and also to inform all people on this island of the bitter history of Northern Ireland before the Good Friday Agreement was finalised in 1998.
"It is clear from what Mr Stephen Herron said that the PPS had difficulties considering evidence that was not admissible due to the strict rules and he also added that the rules on probability are greater than standard criminal cases. This is why other mechanisms can assist the families if both governments could agree to establish them.
"Notwithstanding the families' inevitable disappointment today, the prosecution of Soldier F is significant given the denial of the British government for many years. The families of the victims should be honoured for their determination, dignity and continued bravery on behalf of those who were so brutally murdered and they will continue to be supported."
(JG/CM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 January 2015
More Than 1,000 Children Made Homeless In 2014 - Focus Ireland
Almost 500 families became homeless in Dublin in 2014, new figures from Focus Ireland have revealed. The charity, which supports homeless families, said that more than 1,000 children lost their homes last year when their families became homeless.
More Than 1,000 Children Made Homeless In 2014 - Focus Ireland
Almost 500 families became homeless in Dublin in 2014, new figures from Focus Ireland have revealed. The charity, which supports homeless families, said that more than 1,000 children lost their homes last year when their families became homeless.
06 January 2012
Soldier Targeted In Car Bomb
In the North a soldier is said to be very lucky to be alive after a bomb was left in the car he had been driving in North Belfast. The device was found under the driver’s seat of the vehicle, which was parked off the Ligoniel Road, at Blackdam Court.
Soldier Targeted In Car Bomb
In the North a soldier is said to be very lucky to be alive after a bomb was left in the car he had been driving in North Belfast. The device was found under the driver’s seat of the vehicle, which was parked off the Ligoniel Road, at Blackdam Court.
14 July 2016
Au Pairs And Host Families Need Legal Certainty - Rabbitte
Au pairs and their host families need legal certainty in the wake of a Workplace Relations Commission ruling made last March, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Anne Rabbitte has said.
Au Pairs And Host Families Need Legal Certainty - Rabbitte
Au pairs and their host families need legal certainty in the wake of a Workplace Relations Commission ruling made last March, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Anne Rabbitte has said.
18 March 2010
Call To Ban Mephedrone
A 'legal high' should be banned before more young people die. A Northern politician, the SDLP's South Belfast MP - and former family GP Dr Alasdair McDonnell - had called on the Stormont Minister for Health to take urgent action to tackle the significant rise in the consumption of the harmful legal drug mephedrone.
Call To Ban Mephedrone
A 'legal high' should be banned before more young people die. A Northern politician, the SDLP's South Belfast MP - and former family GP Dr Alasdair McDonnell - had called on the Stormont Minister for Health to take urgent action to tackle the significant rise in the consumption of the harmful legal drug mephedrone.
05 November 2009
Secure Children's Facility To Be Closed
The State's main secure unit for housing highly disruptive children and young people is to be closed as concerns emerge that the facility is "not fit for purpose". The Special Care Unit in Ballydowd, west Dublin, cost €13 million to build nine years ago and has been used to detain up to 18 children and young people.
Secure Children's Facility To Be Closed
The State's main secure unit for housing highly disruptive children and young people is to be closed as concerns emerge that the facility is "not fit for purpose". The Special Care Unit in Ballydowd, west Dublin, cost €13 million to build nine years ago and has been used to detain up to 18 children and young people.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Frequent, often heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow will affect most parts this evening and overnight, but are likely to be most frequent across the northeast. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
