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Bloody Sunday investigators arrest former soldier Bloody Sunday investigators arrest former soldier
(35 minutes later)
Detectives in Northern Ireland investigating the Bloody Sunday shootings in 1972 have arrested a former British soldier in County Antrim.Detectives in Northern Ireland investigating the Bloody Sunday shootings in 1972 have arrested a former British soldier in County Antrim.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s legacy investigation branch said he was a 66-year-old, with some reports saying he was a former soldier. The man would have been 23 at the time. The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s legacy investigation branch said he is 66 years old. He would have been 23 at the time of the shootings.
Detectives from Legacy Investigation Branch investigating the events of Bloody Sunday have arrested a 66 yo man in Co Antrim this morning.Detectives from Legacy Investigation Branch investigating the events of Bloody Sunday have arrested a 66 yo man in Co Antrim this morning.
The officer leading the investigation, DCI Ian Harrison, said the arrest marked a new phase in the investigation that would continue for some time. The officer leading the investigation, DCI Ian Harrison, said the arrest marked a new phase in the overall inquiry that would continue for some time.
Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were killed by members of the Parachute Regiment on the streets of Derry in January 1972. Another victim of the shootings died months later.Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were killed by members of the Parachute Regiment on the streets of Derry in January 1972. Another victim of the shootings died months later.
It is the first arrest made by officers since the murder investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday was launched in 2012. It is the first arrest since the murder investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday was launched in 2012.
The investigation started after a government-commissioned inquiry undertaken by Lord Saville found none of victims posed a threat to soldiers when they were shot. After the publication of the Saville report in 2010, David Cameron apologised for the army’s actions, branding them “unjustified and unjustifiable”. The investigation started after a government-commissioned inquiry undertaken by Mark Saville found none of the victims posed a threat to soldiers when they were shot. After the publication of Lord Saville’s report in 2010, David Cameron apologised for the army’s actions, branding them “unjustified and unjustifiable”.
In September, the PSNI announced their intention to interview seven former soldiers about their involvement on the day. The suspect detained on Tuesday has been taken to a station in Belfast for questioning. In September, the PSNI announced its intention to interview seven former soldiers about their involvement on the day. The suspect detained on Tuesday has been taken to a station in Belfast for questioning.
In June, the BBC reported that the PSNI has contacted more than 100 soldiers as part of the investigation. The contacts followed renewed criticism of the police inquiry by some Bloody Sunday families.In June, the BBC reported that the PSNI has contacted more than 100 soldiers as part of the investigation. The contacts followed renewed criticism of the police inquiry by some Bloody Sunday families.
Harrison said at the time his team had completed its civilian witness inquiries and made contact with more than 100 soldiers to “determine if they are willing to engage with us”. He stressed that the soldiers were witnesses, not suspects, and were therefore not obliged to speak with the team. Harrison said at the time his team had completed its civilian witness inquiries and made contact with more than 100 soldiers to “determine if they are willing to engage with us”. He stressed that the soldiers were witnesses, not suspects, and were therefore not obliged to speak to the team.
Some Bloody Sunday families have criticised the police investigation. In a letter to Harrison from Peter Madden of Madden and Finucane Solicitors this year, the families said they were losing faith in the investigation because they had “heard nothing from the PSNI since a meeting in January and were entirely unaware of what progress had been made”. Some Bloody Sunday families have criticised the police investigation. In a letter to Harrison this year, the families said they were losing faith in the investigation because they had “heard nothing from the PSNI since a meeting in January and were entirely unaware of what progress had been made”.
The Ministry of Defence said it would be inappropriate to comment on a continuing criminal investigation: “We are aware an ex-soldier has been arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in connection with their investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday. It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing criminal investigation at this stage.” The Ministry of Defence said it would be inappropriate to comment on a continuing criminal investigation: “We are aware an ex-soldier has been arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in connection with its investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday. It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing criminal investigation at this stage.”
In 2013, the MoD offered the families of those shot dead by Parachute Regiment soldiers around £50,000 each in compensation. In 2013, the MoD offered the families of those shot dead about £50,000 each in compensation.