Ballymurphy troops must face due process of the law, MLA tells commemoration

SOLDIERS must face the due process of the law for crimes committed during the conflict, Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon told yesterday’s annual Ballymurphy massacre commemoration.

Speaking at the March for Truth event, Ms Dillon said she felt the current campaign around the statute of limitations for veterans who served in Northern Ireland was adding to the distress of families.

Her remarks come just days after Lord Bramall, a former head of the armed forces, called on the government to stop what he called the “macabre charade” of threatening Northern Ireland veterans with legal action.

The Mid-Ulster MLA, who is the party’s spokesperson for victims, branded recent comments from Prime Minister Theresa May and senior military figures as “offensive, insulting and demeaning to the memory of the deceased”.

Lord Bramall has accused the PSNI of “harrying” Northern Ireland veterans — many now in their 70s — over events from almost half a century ago.

He told the Daily Telegraph that it would be difficult for police to gather enough evidence to bring charges against the veterans because of the length of time that has passed.

“In the interests of justice, fair play and even-handedness, the government must, by whatever means, put a stop at once to this macabre charade,” he said.

Ten people, including a Catholic priest and a mother-of-eight, were killed in Ballymurphy during three days of trouble involving members of the Parachute Regiment in August 1971.

Another man died of a heart attack following an alleged violent confrontation with troops in the west Belfast estate.

The incident has become known as the Ballymurphy Massacre.

“These soldiers, like everyone else, must face due process of the law and if they have done nothing wrong they have nothing to fear,” Ms Dillon said.

“In fact, if they have nothing to hide, why don’t they co-operate fully with any investigation

Relatives of those killed in the Ballymurphy massacre take part in the March for Truth event yesterday

to clear their names? Why don’t the MoD co-operate with families and the Coroners Office to locate Paras that were involved in the massacre in Ballymurphy?

“This brutal policy of execution, cover-up and lies carried on over many years.”

SDLP deputy leader Nichola Mallon also offered her support for the Ballymurphy families’ campaign.

“You are winning the fight,” she told the event.

“As we will do today and every

day, we stand with you all in your campaigns for truth and justice.

“As young and old march side by side, as grandparents, parents and children march side by side, the message to the British Government is loud and clear, victims’ issues and pain are intergenerational and while you continue to cover up, families will continue to fight.”

Ms Dillon also urged the public to take part in the current consultation process on establishing

the legacy bodies as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement.

“I would appeal to everyone to engage with the consultation,” she said.

“It will be an opportunity to try to shape the legacy mechanisms and to do so based on your life experiences.

“Every story must be told right across the board.”

In 2010, then-Prime Minister David Cameron apologised for the actions of the members of the Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday.

His apology came after a long-running public inquiry by Lord Saville found the shootings had been unjustified.

The victims posed no threat, the report found.

However the government has rejected calls for a probe on a smaller scale into the events in Ballymurphy.

It insisted that such an inquiry would not be in the public interest.