Menu
21/07/2022
'Victims Deserve Truth' – Doug Beattie
Marking the 50th anniversary of Bloody Friday – a day in 1972 when 20 bombs were detonated across Belfast in 80 minutes – Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie has said that "victims deserve truth".
Beattie also recognised the 40th anniversary of IRA bomb attacks in Hyde Park and Regent's Park in London.
Mr Beattie said: "(20th July) marks the 40th Anniversary of the Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings in which the IRA left 11 dead and at least 51 injured. Four of the dead were members of the Household Cavalry and seven were bandsmen in the Royal Greenjackets.
"It was a dreadful day that caused carnage and suffering, with the families of the victims enduring pain and grief to this very day.
"Thursday marks the 50th Anniversary of the IRA's mass bomb attacks on the City and people of Belfast, which became known as Bloody Friday. These cowardly attacks were typical of the cruel and barbaric nature of the Provisional IRA, deliberately targeting innocent civilians to instil fear in the population.
"On Bloody Friday over 20 bombs were detonated across the City in 80 minutes, most within a half hour period, killing nine people and injuring another 130.
"The murderous template of Bloody Friday and the targeting of civilians was followed in further IRA bomb attacks on civilians in Claudy a mere ten days later on 31 July 1972, Coleraine on 12 June 1973, La Mon in February 1978 and of course in Omagh in August 1998 to name but a few.
"There are those today who wish to whitewash the crimes of the IRA and rewrite the history of the Troubles. They are very enthusiastic when it comes to pursuing police officers and soldiers for events of 50 years ago, whilst taking great offence if the Police seek to even question republicans about the atrocities committed by the IRA.
"The modern-day Sinn Fein leadership cannot lecture anyone about truth and justice as long as they venerate the perpetrators of crimes such as Bloody Friday, Hyde Park and Regent's Park, and attempt to justify their actions. The families of the victims of the IRA murdered in those cowardly attacks deserve truth and justice.
"The so-called 'republican movement' holds the truth about many murders and maimings including those responsible for Bloody Friday, Hyde Park and Regent's Park. They may want the world to forget about the crimes of the IRA and focus instead on the actions of the security forces who were battling desperately to prevent even greater loss of life and prevent a full scale civil war from breaking out, but they will not be allowed to succeed. We pause to remember the innocent victims of the IRA murdered on Bloody Friday, in Hyde Park and Regent's Park, as they went about their daily business."
Beattie also recognised the 40th anniversary of IRA bomb attacks in Hyde Park and Regent's Park in London.
Mr Beattie said: "(20th July) marks the 40th Anniversary of the Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings in which the IRA left 11 dead and at least 51 injured. Four of the dead were members of the Household Cavalry and seven were bandsmen in the Royal Greenjackets.
"It was a dreadful day that caused carnage and suffering, with the families of the victims enduring pain and grief to this very day.
"Thursday marks the 50th Anniversary of the IRA's mass bomb attacks on the City and people of Belfast, which became known as Bloody Friday. These cowardly attacks were typical of the cruel and barbaric nature of the Provisional IRA, deliberately targeting innocent civilians to instil fear in the population.
"On Bloody Friday over 20 bombs were detonated across the City in 80 minutes, most within a half hour period, killing nine people and injuring another 130.
"The murderous template of Bloody Friday and the targeting of civilians was followed in further IRA bomb attacks on civilians in Claudy a mere ten days later on 31 July 1972, Coleraine on 12 June 1973, La Mon in February 1978 and of course in Omagh in August 1998 to name but a few.
"There are those today who wish to whitewash the crimes of the IRA and rewrite the history of the Troubles. They are very enthusiastic when it comes to pursuing police officers and soldiers for events of 50 years ago, whilst taking great offence if the Police seek to even question republicans about the atrocities committed by the IRA.
"The modern-day Sinn Fein leadership cannot lecture anyone about truth and justice as long as they venerate the perpetrators of crimes such as Bloody Friday, Hyde Park and Regent's Park, and attempt to justify their actions. The families of the victims of the IRA murdered in those cowardly attacks deserve truth and justice.
"The so-called 'republican movement' holds the truth about many murders and maimings including those responsible for Bloody Friday, Hyde Park and Regent's Park. They may want the world to forget about the crimes of the IRA and focus instead on the actions of the security forces who were battling desperately to prevent even greater loss of life and prevent a full scale civil war from breaking out, but they will not be allowed to succeed. We pause to remember the innocent victims of the IRA murdered on Bloody Friday, in Hyde Park and Regent's Park, as they went about their daily business."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 November 2009
Dissident Detained Leaving English Jail
An alleged police informer jailed for handling republican terrorist explosives has been arrested while leaving an English prison. Dissident Paddy Murray is being detained by PSNI detectives, with the support of English forces. The 47-year-old former IRA prisoner was handed a 25-year sentence in 1994 for possession of explosives.
Dissident Detained Leaving English Jail
An alleged police informer jailed for handling republican terrorist explosives has been arrested while leaving an English prison. Dissident Paddy Murray is being detained by PSNI detectives, with the support of English forces. The 47-year-old former IRA prisoner was handed a 25-year sentence in 1994 for possession of explosives.
18 July 2014
PSNI Accepts OTR Report
Chief Constable George Hamilton has said the PSNI accepts in full the recommendations laid out in a newly-published report into the 'On the Run' letters. A review has just been completed by Lady Justice Hallett that confirmed letters sent to wanted republican terrorist suspects did not amount to an amnesty.
PSNI Accepts OTR Report
Chief Constable George Hamilton has said the PSNI accepts in full the recommendations laid out in a newly-published report into the 'On the Run' letters. A review has just been completed by Lady Justice Hallett that confirmed letters sent to wanted republican terrorist suspects did not amount to an amnesty.
17 July 2014
OTR Letters 'Not An Amnesty'
'On the Run' letters sent to wanted republican terrorist suspects did not amount to an amnesty, a judge has found. Lady Justice Hallett has completed a review, ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron, on the so-called 'On the Run' letters.
OTR Letters 'Not An Amnesty'
'On the Run' letters sent to wanted republican terrorist suspects did not amount to an amnesty, a judge has found. Lady Justice Hallett has completed a review, ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron, on the so-called 'On the Run' letters.
31 July 2012
McGuinness: 1972 Claudy Attacks Were 'Appalling'
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said the Claudy bombs, which killed nine people exactly 40 years ago, were "appalling" and "wrong". A number of people were also seriously injured in the July 31 1972 attacks. A car bomb exploded outside a pub on Claudy's Main Street, followed by two further bombs outside and post office and a hotel.
McGuinness: 1972 Claudy Attacks Were 'Appalling'
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said the Claudy bombs, which killed nine people exactly 40 years ago, were "appalling" and "wrong". A number of people were also seriously injured in the July 31 1972 attacks. A car bomb exploded outside a pub on Claudy's Main Street, followed by two further bombs outside and post office and a hotel.
26 June 2014
OTR Review Publication Date Announced
The publication date of the review into the administrative scheme for dealing with suspected On The Runs has been set for 17 July. Controversy over the scheme started following the collapse of a case against John Downey, a suspect in the 1982 IRA murder of four soldiers in Hyde Park.
OTR Review Publication Date Announced
The publication date of the review into the administrative scheme for dealing with suspected On The Runs has been set for 17 July. Controversy over the scheme started following the collapse of a case against John Downey, a suspect in the 1982 IRA murder of four soldiers in Hyde Park.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Apart from a little patchy drizzle it will be a dry evening and night with variable amounts of cloud. A few mist and fog patches forming. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
