Bloody Sunday: Decision not to prosecute 15 former soldiers confirmed | UK News

The decision not to prosecute 15 former soldiers in connection with the Bloody Sunday shootings in Londonderry has been confirmed, announced the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland (PPS).

Thirteen people were killed and 15 others injured on January 30, 1972 when troops from the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment fired on protesters during a civil rights march in Derry.

A veteran, identified only as “Private F”, was charged last year with murder and attempted murder and is awaiting trial.

North IrelandThe Public Ministry said at the time that there was insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction for 16 other former military personnel.

And in an announcement today, officials said a review found that “the test for prosecution is not met on evidentiary grounds.”

Lawyers representing the families of those killed in the massacre said they found the decision “deeply disappointing” and could challenge it in High Court.

It was also revealed that while Private F was among those subject to the review, the existing prosecution against him would continue.

The review was conducted by PPS Senior Deputy Director Marianne O’Kane, who had not previously been involved in the cases.

She said: “In March 2019, the PPS engaged extensively with the families of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday to explain the reasons why the person who made the original decision concluded that the available evidence did not meet the test for the prosecution of all but one suspect, reported.

Given the importance of these decisions to all those affected by them and the great public interest in the events of Bloody Sunday, the deep disappointment felt by many families at the time was totally understandable.

“This was despite assurances received from the PPS that its decision-making had been carried out in an independent, fair and impartial manner.

“It was therefore also understandable that several of the bereaved families and injured victims subsequently exercised their right to request a review of the decisions concerning 15 of the originally reported suspects.”

He explained that the review process began in November 2019, after receiving all legal submissions, and involved applying the evidence for prosecution again to all available evidence submitted by the 2016 Northern Ireland Police Service (PSNI). to 2017.

Ms. O’Kane said: “I have concluded that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction for any of the 15 soldiers who were the subject of the reviews.

Consequently, the decisions not to prosecute these 15 people stand.

“I know that today’s outcome will further upset those who have embarked on a long and determined path for justice for almost five decades.

“I can only reassure all the families and victims of Bloody Sunday, and the community in general, that my decisions were made completely independently and impartially, and in accordance with the District Attorney’s Code.

“Finally, it is important to note that although Soldier F is among the 15 people to whom these new decisions refer, the accusation that began against him in 2019 continues, which is related to two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. “

Private F is on trial for the alleged murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, and Patrick O’Donnell.

It is understood that reviews of the alleged conduct of 15 of the 18 former soldiers originally reported to PPS were carried out.

One died in December 2018 before a decision was made on his alleged involvement.

While reviews were initially requested of the decisions not to charge two others, those requests were subsequently withdrawn and the reviews stopped.

Ciaran Shiels, a lawyer for the firm who represents most of the victims, said the decision to request a review followed a “careful analysis” that led them to conclude that the initial decision making was “flawed and illegal.”

“Today’s decision by the PPS to uphold its original decision and not pursue further prosecutions is deeply disappointing to the families and the injured left with the firm conclusion that members of the Parachute Regiment have effectively gotten away with it. mass murder.

“Now they have no alternative but to consider challenging these decisions in Superior Court through judicial review procedures.”

Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson expressed her disappointment at the decision and paid tribute to the families of those killed in the massacre for their “strength and determination.”

“This is another deeply disappointing day for the Bloody Sunday families,” he said.

“We share that disappointment given the well-documented actions of the British Army on Bloody Sunday.

“Bloody Sunday was a massacre of the innocent and this was recognized by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, when he said it was unjustified and unjustifiable.”