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Families of IRA Hyde Park bombing victims granted legal aid Families of IRA Hyde Park bombing victims granted legal aid
(35 minutes later)
The families of four soldiers killed in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombings have been granted legal aid to take a civil case against one of the alleged bombers.The families of four soldiers killed in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombings have been granted legal aid to take a civil case against one of the alleged bombers.
John Downey, 66, has denied murdering the soldiers.John Downey, 66, has denied murdering the soldiers.
A 2014 prosecution against him was dropped when a judge ruled an official assurance given in error meant he could not face trial.A 2014 prosecution against him was dropped when a judge ruled an official assurance given in error meant he could not face trial.
He had an "on the run" letter telling him he was no longer a wanted man.He had an "on the run" letter telling him he was no longer a wanted man.
The letter, which he had received in 2007, assured him he would not face arrest and prosecution for IRA crimes.The letter, which he had received in 2007, assured him he would not face arrest and prosecution for IRA crimes.
The then prime minister, David Cameron, described the letter as a "dreadful mistake".The then prime minister, David Cameron, described the letter as a "dreadful mistake".
The Hyde Park attack on 20 July 1982 killed Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Roy Bright, Lieutenant Anthony Daly, Trooper Simon Tipper and Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young.The Hyde Park attack on 20 July 1982 killed Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Roy Bright, Lieutenant Anthony Daly, Trooper Simon Tipper and Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young.
On Tuesday, The Sun reported that the Legal Aid Agency has confirmed that it is providing funding to the families of the victims.On Tuesday, The Sun reported that the Legal Aid Agency has confirmed that it is providing funding to the families of the victims.
Who were the on the runs?
At that time of John Downey's 2014 prosecution, Mr Justice Sweeney heard from Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly that 187 people had received "on the run" letters.
These people were either suspected of paramilitary crimes or had escaped from prison after being convicted.
The 1998 Good Friday Agreement meant that anyone convicted of paramilitary crimes was eligible for early release, but the agreement did not cover on the runs.
Sinn Féin sought a scheme that would allow on the runs to return to the UK without fear that they would be arrested.
This scheme was agreed with the UK government but not disclosed to the public.
Former Ulster Unionist MP, Danny Kinahan, welcomed news of the legal aid.Former Ulster Unionist MP, Danny Kinahan, welcomed news of the legal aid.
Mr Kinahan, who was a former colleague of the soldiers who were murdered, said: "The granting of legal aid to the Hyde Park Justice Campaign is fantastic news, but it should have happened a lot sooner.Mr Kinahan, who was a former colleague of the soldiers who were murdered, said: "The granting of legal aid to the Hyde Park Justice Campaign is fantastic news, but it should have happened a lot sooner.
"The families of my murdered colleagues have been put through hell."The families of my murdered colleagues have been put through hell.
"Firstly, they lost their loved ones, stolen from them in the prime of their lives."Firstly, they lost their loved ones, stolen from them in the prime of their lives.
"Then, they suffered the pain of the farce of the trial of John Downey being thrown out because of one of the despicable on-the-run letters."Then, they suffered the pain of the farce of the trial of John Downey being thrown out because of one of the despicable on-the-run letters.
"And finally they have had to endure being put through the wringer by the Legal Aid Agency who repeatedly refused their application for Legal Aid." And finally they have had to endure being put through the wringer by the Legal Aid Agency who repeatedly refused their application for legal aid."
Mr Kinahan said he was glad that the Legal Aid Agency has reversed its previous decisions.Mr Kinahan said he was glad that the Legal Aid Agency has reversed its previous decisions.
At that time of Mr Downey's 2014 prosecution, Mr Justice Sweeney heard from Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly that 187 people had received "on the run" letters. Mr Justice Sweeney's judgment in Mr Downey's case laid bare the details of a secret arrangement to deal with several hundred republicans against whom there was no existing evidence.
Mr Justice Sweeney's judgment laid bare the details of a secret arrangement to deal with several hundred republicans against whom there was no existing evidence.
They may still have been potentially of interest to police after July 2000.They may still have been potentially of interest to police after July 2000.
The Hyde Park attack is one of the most significant unsolved IRA bombings of The Troubles.The Hyde Park attack is one of the most significant unsolved IRA bombings of The Troubles.
One other person was convicted in relation to the deaths before being later cleared on appeal.One other person was convicted in relation to the deaths before being later cleared on appeal.