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19/02/2003
Orde defends his Bloody Sunday comments
PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde has come out in defence of remarks he made in yesterday's Financial Times newspaper when he claimed that the latest Bloody Sunday Inquiry was a "waste of money".
In a statement yesterday evening, Mr Orde said it was important to find out the truth about what happened on Bloody Sunday and that it was not his intention to cast doubts on the legitimacy of that inquiry.
He also said he was willing to meet with families of the victims to discuss his comments if they so wished.
“Society has a responsibility to find out what has happened in historical cases, but we must also meet the needs of the present," he said.
“There are a growing number of calls for investigations into historical cases and what I was saying is that perhaps now is the time to look again at how we go about establishing the truth and meeting the needs of victims and their families."
However, the Chief Constable continued to attract criticism today for his comments despite explaining the nature his remarks.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan slammed the Chief Constable for what he described as his "insensitivity and ignorance" towards Bloody Sunday victims.
"The Bloody Sunday Inquiry may be proving expensive but that is partly because of the various legal challenges that the military and Ministry of Defence have engaged in," he said.
"It is precisely because too many people in high places were hostile or indifferent to the need for truth about Bloody Sunday over so many years that an inquiry of this nature is so necessary to properly vindicate the innocent victims and bring out the truth."
Prime Minister Tony Blair established the Bloody Sunday Saville Inquiry in 1998 after a campaign by the families of the 14 people killed as a result of events on 30 January 1972 during a civil rights march in Londonderry.
The final cost of the tribunal, led by Lord Saville of Newdigate, could rests around the £150 million mark, and the inquiry's conclusions are not expected until next year.
(MB)
In a statement yesterday evening, Mr Orde said it was important to find out the truth about what happened on Bloody Sunday and that it was not his intention to cast doubts on the legitimacy of that inquiry.
He also said he was willing to meet with families of the victims to discuss his comments if they so wished.
“Society has a responsibility to find out what has happened in historical cases, but we must also meet the needs of the present," he said.
“There are a growing number of calls for investigations into historical cases and what I was saying is that perhaps now is the time to look again at how we go about establishing the truth and meeting the needs of victims and their families."
However, the Chief Constable continued to attract criticism today for his comments despite explaining the nature his remarks.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan slammed the Chief Constable for what he described as his "insensitivity and ignorance" towards Bloody Sunday victims.
"The Bloody Sunday Inquiry may be proving expensive but that is partly because of the various legal challenges that the military and Ministry of Defence have engaged in," he said.
"It is precisely because too many people in high places were hostile or indifferent to the need for truth about Bloody Sunday over so many years that an inquiry of this nature is so necessary to properly vindicate the innocent victims and bring out the truth."
Prime Minister Tony Blair established the Bloody Sunday Saville Inquiry in 1998 after a campaign by the families of the 14 people killed as a result of events on 30 January 1972 during a civil rights march in Londonderry.
The final cost of the tribunal, led by Lord Saville of Newdigate, could rests around the £150 million mark, and the inquiry's conclusions are not expected until next year.
(MB)
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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".
04 March 2009
Inquiries' Cost Revealed
A DUP Stormont Junior Minister has raised concerns about the cost of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. After the cost of accommodation alone reached £26 million Jeffrey Donaldson (pictured) branded the money a "waste" of public funds.
Inquiries' Cost Revealed
A DUP Stormont Junior Minister has raised concerns about the cost of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. After the cost of accommodation alone reached £26 million Jeffrey Donaldson (pictured) branded the money a "waste" of public funds.
01 April 2004
Public inquiries follow on publishing of Cory Report
Full public inquiries are to be launched to investigate alleged security force collusion in three controversial murders in Northern Ireland. The separate inquiries to be held as soon as possible will investigate the killings of Rosemary Nelson, Robert Hamill and Billy Wright.
Public inquiries follow on publishing of Cory Report
Full public inquiries are to be launched to investigate alleged security force collusion in three controversial murders in Northern Ireland. The separate inquiries to be held as soon as possible will investigate the killings of Rosemary Nelson, Robert Hamill and Billy Wright.
18 February 2003
Orde describes Bloody Sunday Inquiry as 'waste of money'
PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde has described the latest Bloody Sunday tribunal as a "waste of money". Mr Orde, who made his comments in Tuesday's edition of the Financial Times, also claimed that the Saville Inquiry into the deaths of 14 civilians in 1972 was unlikely to satisfy the families or any of the other groups involved.
Orde describes Bloody Sunday Inquiry as 'waste of money'
PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde has described the latest Bloody Sunday tribunal as a "waste of money". Mr Orde, who made his comments in Tuesday's edition of the Financial Times, also claimed that the Saville Inquiry into the deaths of 14 civilians in 1972 was unlikely to satisfy the families or any of the other groups involved.
24 September 2002
Bloody Sunday Inquiry moves to London
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry has moved to London to hear evidence from former British soldiers who were serving in Northern Ireland on the day 13 civilians were shot dead in Londonderry. About 300 military witnesses are expected to testify at the inquiry in Westminster.
Bloody Sunday Inquiry moves to London
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry has moved to London to hear evidence from former British soldiers who were serving in Northern Ireland on the day 13 civilians were shot dead in Londonderry. About 300 military witnesses are expected to testify at the inquiry in Westminster.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
