Menu
16/11/2012
Criticism Over Delay In Bloody Sunday Arrests
The PSNI faces criticism over its failure to arrest or interview soldiers involved in Bloody Sunday.
Victims’ families are questioning why the police in Northern Ireland have not acted upon the findings over the Saville Inquiry over two years ago, which found that British soldiers were "unjustified" in causing the deaths of 14 unarmed civilians in L’Derry in 1972.
13 civillians, seven of whom were teenagers, were shot dead during a civil rights protest in the city. A further man died later from injuries sustained in the shootings.
Despite the findings, the PSNI has admitted to never interviewing or arresting a single person.
Peter Madden from Madden and Finucane Solicitors is representing the families.
He said they will be considering all "legal remedies" available.
The PSNI admitted that no soldiers have been arrested or questioned.
Mickey McKinney, whose brother William was killed in the shootings, said: "I think it is fair to say, that my family and the families seeking prosecutions, are not happy.
"In fact we are very angry that this has not moved any quicker."
Mr Madden added: "It is staggering that almost two and a half years since Lord Saville delivered his report and the Prime Minister stated unequivocally in Parliament that all of the deceased and injured were shot without justification, that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has failed to take any reasonable steps to progress the prosecutions of those responsible.
"Their abject failure to do so, bearing in mind the considerable work done by the Saville Inquiry, is completely unacceptable, and has significantly undermined the rule of law and administration of justice."
At the close of the inquiry in June 2010, Lord Saville concluded: "What happened on Bloody Sunday strengthened the Provisional IRA, increased nationalist resentment and hostility towards the Army and exacerbated the violent conflict of the years that followed.
"Bloody Sunday was a tragedy for the bereaved and the wounded, and a catastrophe for the people of Northern Ireland."
(IT/GK)
Victims’ families are questioning why the police in Northern Ireland have not acted upon the findings over the Saville Inquiry over two years ago, which found that British soldiers were "unjustified" in causing the deaths of 14 unarmed civilians in L’Derry in 1972.
13 civillians, seven of whom were teenagers, were shot dead during a civil rights protest in the city. A further man died later from injuries sustained in the shootings.
Despite the findings, the PSNI has admitted to never interviewing or arresting a single person.
Peter Madden from Madden and Finucane Solicitors is representing the families.
He said they will be considering all "legal remedies" available.
The PSNI admitted that no soldiers have been arrested or questioned.
Mickey McKinney, whose brother William was killed in the shootings, said: "I think it is fair to say, that my family and the families seeking prosecutions, are not happy.
"In fact we are very angry that this has not moved any quicker."
Mr Madden added: "It is staggering that almost two and a half years since Lord Saville delivered his report and the Prime Minister stated unequivocally in Parliament that all of the deceased and injured were shot without justification, that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has failed to take any reasonable steps to progress the prosecutions of those responsible.
"Their abject failure to do so, bearing in mind the considerable work done by the Saville Inquiry, is completely unacceptable, and has significantly undermined the rule of law and administration of justice."
At the close of the inquiry in June 2010, Lord Saville concluded: "What happened on Bloody Sunday strengthened the Provisional IRA, increased nationalist resentment and hostility towards the Army and exacerbated the violent conflict of the years that followed.
"Bloody Sunday was a tragedy for the bereaved and the wounded, and a catastrophe for the people of Northern Ireland."
(IT/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 August 2001
British soldiers must return to NI to give evidence
British soldiers called to give evidence at the Bloody Sunday Tribunal must return to the province to give their evidence at the Tribunal sitting in the Guildhall in Derry.
British soldiers must return to NI to give evidence
British soldiers called to give evidence at the Bloody Sunday Tribunal must return to the province to give their evidence at the Tribunal sitting in the Guildhall in Derry.
06 March 2003
Orde apologises to Bloody Sunday families
Following the publication of controversial comments attributed to the PSNI chief constable on the Saville Inquiry, Hugh Orde has met with families of those killed on Bloody Sunday for what he described as a "sensible and interesting debate".
Orde apologises to Bloody Sunday families
Following the publication of controversial comments attributed to the PSNI chief constable on the Saville Inquiry, Hugh Orde has met with families of those killed on Bloody Sunday for what he described as a "sensible and interesting debate".
08 May 2002
DUP leader accuses Saville Inquiry of discrimination
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Dr Ian Paisley has accused the Bloody Sunday Inquiry of “political discrimination”. Having ignored a witness summons to attend the Inquiry on Tuesday, Mr Paisley testified on Wednesday following a threat that he would be reported for contempt of court if he ignored an order to appear.
DUP leader accuses Saville Inquiry of discrimination
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Dr Ian Paisley has accused the Bloody Sunday Inquiry of “political discrimination”. Having ignored a witness summons to attend the Inquiry on Tuesday, Mr Paisley testified on Wednesday following a threat that he would be reported for contempt of court if he ignored an order to appear.
22 August 2001
Bloody Sunday Inquiry judge resigns
A reserve judge at the Bloody Sunday inquiry in Londonderry has tendered his resignation because of ill health. Canadian judge Mr Justice William Esson told Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid in a resignation letter that he was resigning following doctor’s advice.
Bloody Sunday Inquiry judge resigns
A reserve judge at the Bloody Sunday inquiry in Londonderry has tendered his resignation because of ill health. Canadian judge Mr Justice William Esson told Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid in a resignation letter that he was resigning following doctor’s advice.
04 November 2003
McGuinness tells Saville Inquiry of IRA past
Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness has informed the Saville Inquiry that at the time of Bloody Sunday he was the adjutant and within two weeks of the incident he was the head of the Provisional IRA in Derry.
McGuinness tells Saville Inquiry of IRA past
Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness has informed the Saville Inquiry that at the time of Bloody Sunday he was the adjutant and within two weeks of the incident he was the head of the Provisional IRA in Derry.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
