British army veterans set to be charged over Bloody Sunday deaths

BRITISH army veterans are expected to be charged with murder within a fortnight over the deaths of Bloody Sunday protesters 47 years ago, it is understood.

‘Daily Telegraph’ sources suggested that four former paratroopers, now in their 60s and 70s, fear being told on March 14 they face murder charges in connection with the shootings in Derry in 1972.

Fourteen civilians died and another 14 were wounded when soldiers from 1 Para opened fire on a civil rights demonstration in the city.

Prosecutors in Northern Ireland will meet victims’ families on March 14 before making a long-awaited announcement on whether former soldiers will stand trial. A press statement will be read out in Derry.

The announcement follows a seven-year inquiry by police and prosecutors and will cause a huge political storm and a wave of protest whatever the decision. Sources expect soldiers to be charged, although no formal decision will be made until just before the press announcement.

Victims’ families will be devastated if no murder charges are brought, while the prospect of dragging army veterans, some in their late 70s, into the dock will provoke accusations of betrayal from some quarters in the UK.

Eighteen former paratroopers have been under criminal investigation. One died in December but the surviving 17 – the oldest is 77 – could be charged with a variety of offences that include murder, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm and perjury.

If found guilty of murder, they face life imprisonment.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, terrorists subsequently convicted of atrocities committed during the Troubles can be jailed for a maximum of two years.

One source told ‘The Telegraph’: “There are four soldiers most at risk of being charged with murder. I fear prosecutors will throw the book at everybody and see what sticks.”

One of the veterans, a former sergeant who can be identified only as Sgt O and who faces two possible charges of attempted murder, said: “I am in my late 70s. I am in God’s waiting room. There is not a lot they can do to me.” But he added: “It is a worry. It just niggles away.”

Sgt O is accused of firing into

‘I am in God’s waiting room. There is not a lot they can do to me’

the air, hitting masonry that may have injured two civilians below, an allegation he has described as “ridiculous”.

The soldiers have anonymity, but fear they will be named and identified if charged and if cases come to court.

Any prosecution will be fraught because of the difficulties of proving individual veterans were responsible. Almost all forensic evidence has been lost or destroyed.

Statements in 1972 when Bloody Sunday was first investigated may also be barred, as soldiers were compelled to do so by commanding officers.

Johnny Mercer, a Conservative MP and former army captain who served in Afghanistan and in Northern Ireland, told the ‘Daily Telegraph’ that it was outrageous that veterans could be charged so long after the event.

The Public Prosecution Service will inform victims’ families before the announcement. (© Daily Telegraph, London)