IRA terrorist was Hyde Park bomber
Families call on Blair to apologise as court rules:
FAMILIES of four soldiers killed in the Hyde Park bombing called on Tony Blair to apologise yesterday as they won a 37-year battle for justice.
A High Court judge ruled IRA member John Downey, 67, was responsible for the 1982 bombing, despite the collapse of his criminal trial because of promises given by the Blair government.
Relatives of the murdered soldiers hugged as Mrs Justice Yip ruled Downey was an ‘active participant’ in the attack, which killed four Household Cavalry soldiers and injured 31 others.
Families brought the landmark civil action against Downey after it was ruled he could not face a criminal trial. He denied involvement in the attack.
His 2014 murder trial was halted when he revealed he had received a so-called ‘on the run’ letter in 2007, which promised he was not wanted for arrest or charge. Downey did not reveal the letter’s existence until his trial. His name had been put forward by Sinn Fein in 2002 as part of the peace negotiations.
It has since been admitted he should not have been sent the letter as he was still wanted by Scotland Yard. Mrs Justice Yip said the letter was ‘ an error on the part of the State’. Mark Tipper, whose brother Simon was killed, called on Mr Blair to apologise for the letters, sent to some 200 IRA paramilitary suspects.
He said: ‘ Mr Blair has never apologised. He only apologised for the pain caused. Would he have the gall to look me in the eye and say “I’m sorry”? I don’t think so.’ Judith Jenkins, whose husband Jeffrey Young was also killed, said: ‘We have never had a “sorry”. ’
Lance Corporal Young and Trooper Tipper were both 19 when they were killed as they rode through Hyde Park to a Changing of the Guard ceremony. Lt Anthony Daly, 23, and Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Roy Bright, 36, were also killed. Seven horses had to be put down.
Mrs Justice Yip said the bombing was a ‘ wicked, pre-meditated attack’ and ruled Downey was an ‘active participant’ in the unlawful killings. A 25lbs (11kg) nail bomb was hidden inside a car boot and detonated by remote control.
Downey’s fingerprints were found on two parking tickets linked to the car. Mrs Justice Yip said: ‘The defendant should not have received a letter of assurance under the scheme. However, a catastrophic failure led to the defendant being provided with assurance that he was not under investigation.’
Her ruling means Lance Corporal Young’s daughter Sarahjane can now sue Downey for damages. A hearing is expected in the New Year. As a four-year- old, Miss Young witnessed the bombing from her nursery window in his barracks.
The families of all four men brought the case in her name, after a fight to secure legal aid funding, eventually receiving the money this year after raising £85,000 through crowd funding.
Miss Young’s mother Judith Jenkins said: ‘We never thought this day would happen. It’s finally brought some form of justice.’
Downey, who was convicted of IRA membership in the 1970s, refused to participate in the High Court proceedings. He filed written arguments denying any involvement. He is currently in custody in Northern Ireland, charged with two murders in 1972. The Crown Prosecution Service said yesterday’s ruling did not affect the decision to stay criminal proceedings against him.
A spokesman said it would be possible to prosecute others over the Hyde Park bombing if new evidence came to light.
A spokesman for Mr Blair said: ‘Mr Blair accepted responsibility for the letter being sent, though the letter was not seen or signed off by him. Mr Blair has previously apologised for the error that the letter to Downey was sent and also to those who had suffered as a result.’
‘Catastrophic failure’