Hyde Park bomb families ‘elated’ as legal aid granted

Relatives hopeful IRA blast suspect will face civil action

THE brother of a soldier killed in the IRA’S Hyde Park bombing said he is “elated” that legal aid has finally been granted to sue one of the alleged bombers.

Relatives of the four Royal Household Cavalrymen murdered in the July 1982 blast intend to take a civil case against Co Donegal man John Downey.

The 66-year-old has denied murdering the soldiers.

After being refused legal aid five times to help launch the civil action, the funds have been granted.

Mark Tipper, whose 19-year-old newly-wed brother Simon was killed, said the funds will help the families in their quest for the truth.

He added: “I’m elated. There has been a lot of fighting to get to this day.

“I honestly didn’t think we would get legal aid. When you have been refused five times, you just don’t think it will ever come about.

“Now we are at the stage where the funding is in place and we can start for the first time really looking forward and trying to get chief suspect John

Downey into a civil court. We, as the public, if we can do this, it might help other victims find the strength to carry on forward.”

Former Ulster Unionist MP for South Antrim Danny Kinahan, who has been supporting the families, hailed it as an important step forward.

He said: “For over three decades the families have lived in the

hope that they would see justice delivered for their loved ones. I hope that day has now come one step closer.” Downey was charged with the Hyde Park murders and was to stand trial at the Old Bailey in 2013.

But the case dramatically collapsed after it was revealed he had received a written assurance from former prime minister Tony Blair’s government that he was no longer wanted.

The letter was issued under the terms of the controversial On The Runs scheme.

Trial judge Mr Justice Sweeney ruled Downey’s arrest at Gatwick Airport, as he transited the UK on the way to a holiday, represented an abuse of process and he put a stay on any future prosecution.

The families of the murdered soldiers are now pursuing a civil case against him and have served a writ signalling their intent.

BROTHER OF VICTIM SIMON

John Downey denies murders Horses were also killed in attack

Roy Bright, Simon Tipper, Jeffrey Young & Anthony Daly