Army veterans take prosecutions protest to heart of Whitehall
A NORTHERN Ireland veteran charged with attempted murder has joined protesters rallying against investigations into troops who fought in the Troubles.
A small group gathered outside the Ministry of Defence in London yesterday to demand an end to probes into historical allegations.
Others were expected to meet outside Army recruitment centres elsewhere in the UK to issue warnings to prospective soldiers.
Dennis Hutchings, a 77-year-old former member of the Life Guards regiment, is accused in relation to the fatal shooting of a man with learning difficulties in 1974.
He joined protesters in Plymouth.
Mr Hutchings said the historic investigations are “absolutely appalling” and called for a statute of limitations on offences for services personnel.
“We’re in a situation where we’re being hounded by lawyers,” he commented.
“The Government has hung us veterans out to dry,” he added.
Mr Hutchings, from Cawsand in Cornwall, is due to stand trial in Belfast charged with attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies the charges.
John Pat Cunningham (27) was shot in the back in Co Armagh as he ran away from an Army patrol. His family argued that he ran across a field because he feared men in uniform.
Alan Barry, co-founder of the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans pressure group and who fought in the conflict with the Grenadier Guards, said: “Veterans are being thrown to the wolves.
“We laid our lives on the line for this country.
“We went to Northern Ireland to fight terrorism, and veterans are basically being ignored by the Government.”
A Government spokeswoman stressed the welfare of veterans and serving personnel is of the “utmost importance”, and insisted they are provided with legal support.