Disappointment over PPS decision not to prosecute

The decision not to prosecute 15 soldiers in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday following an internal review by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has been greeted with disappointment in Derry.
By Kevin Mullan
Published 29th Sep 2020, 15:40 BST
Updated 29th Sep 2020, 16:27 BST

Paying tribute to the Bloody Sunday families for their strength and determination, the Foyle MLA Martin Anderson said: “This is another deeply disappointing day for the Bloody Sunday families.

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

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“I want to pay tribute to the Bloody Sunday families for their strength and determination for over 48 years in their ongoing campaign for truth and justice.”

The Derry MLA decribed Bloody Sunday as a ‘massacre of the innocents’ and noted how the former British Prime Minister David Cameron had acknowledged that the events of January 30, 1972, had been ‘unjustified and unjustifiable’.

“The British Government must end their block on the establishment of the legacy mechanisms agreed in the Stormont House Agreement as the only way to deal with legacy issues.

“Sinn Féin will continue to support the Bloody Sunday families in their ongoing fight for justice,” said Ms. Anderson.

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Foyle MP Colum Eastwood, speaking on Tuesday, said: “I am deeply disappointed today for the Bloody Sunday families who have campaigned for truth, accountability and justice for their loved ones.

“The PPS decision not to prosecute these 15 soldiers will cause more pain for those who have experienced the most unimaginable loss.

“I marched with the families and stood with them in Guildhall Square when the Saville Report was published.

“They have shown the most unshakeable dignity and integrity in moments of justice as well as moments of disappointment.

“Today’s decision will not change that.

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“I am pledged to do all I can to support these families who mean so much to Derry. We’ll continue to walk with them.”

People Before Profit councillor Eamonn McCann said: "The Bloody Sunday case has already shown that there’s no justice here. The North is by no means unique in this. We see the same pattern in regard to atrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"In fighting for the truth about Bloody Sunday we fight for all the families everywhere left in grief, knowing that the lives of their loved ones counted for nothing as far as the State is concerned."