Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BLOODY SUNDAY TROOPS ‘FACE CHARGES’
18 soldiers being investigated over ‘murder, wounding and perjury’
PROSECUTORS are considering charging 18 soldiers over their involvement in the Bloody Sunday shootings, it was revealed yesterday. Alleged offences could include murder, attempted murder, wounding and perjury. John Kelly, whose brother Michael was one of the 14 victims killed in 1972, said: “The PPS is
reviewing evidence involving 18 soldiers.” Det Chief Insp Ian Harrison, from the PSNI’S Legacy Investigation Branch, said: “We can confirm a report has now been submitted to the PPS. “The families have been informed of this development.” Thirteen people died when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on Civil Rights demonstrators in Derry on January 30, 1972. A 14th person died later from his injuries. All those killed were later pronounced innocent by a public inquiry led by Lord Saville, and then prime minister David Cameron said the killings were unjustifiable. The soldiers have been referred to by letters of the alphabet allocated to them at the time of the Saville Inquiry. Mr Kelly, who was 23 when 17-yearold Michael died, said: “I do believe I will see F again.” He said nearly all the Bloody Sunday relatives supported prosecutions. A PPS spokesman said yesterday: “It is likely to be some time before any decision will issue.” SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Bloody Sunday had been “a stain on our history”. He added: “I hope there are charges brought to those people who, as we’ve seen through Saville, were absolutely off the leash in murdering with impunity on the streets of Derry.” But the DUP’S Gregory Campbell claimed the development was “proof positive of the partisan approach” taken by the PPS in relation to Troubles murder cases. He said: “This is an outrageous example of former soldiers who stood against the sectarian terrorism of 1972, instigated by the IRA, now being tried whilst many of those who hid behind balaclavas have avoided any trial.”