Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PSNI: Bloody Sunday will be investigated
Bid to halt legacy cases by top brass snubbed
A SENIOR detective yesterday said police in Northern Ireland are legally obliged to investigate Bloody Sunday.
The snub came after the former head of the British Army urged the Government to put a stop to the “macabre charade” that could see soldiers who served in Northern Ireland facing legal action.
Lord Bramall said it was “absurd and grossly unfair” squaddies who took part in the events of Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972, during which 14 innocent people were killed, should be questioned by police now. He accused the PSNI of “harrying” veterans in a “desperate attempt to bring criminal charges”. PSNI detective superintendent Ian Harrison, from the Legacy Investigation Branch, said: “Following the publication of the Saville Inquiry an investigation commenced into the actions of a range of people involved in Bloody Sunday, which, as a police service, we have a legal obligation to do. “This lengthy and complex investigation is being carried out by a team of highly professional and competent detectives who will, without fear or favour, follow all investigative opportunities. As with any police investigation, this work is being conducted in accordance with statutory responsibilities and the PSNI code of ethics.”
The new head of the armed forces has also spoken out about soldiers being “chased by people making vexatious claims” of wrongdoing, vowing: “That will not happen on my watch.”
Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter praised the “remarkable job” done by the British Army in Northern Ireland and said groundless allegations against soldiers risked “fighting spirit”.