Eight Veterans Will Not Face Prosecution Over Bloody Sunday Evidence
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland has announced that eight former soldiers investigated over allegations of providing false evidence about the events of Bloody Sunday will not face prosecution. The PPS stated that the evidential threshold required to proceed with a criminal case has not been met, following a comprehensive review of the complex legal matter.
Background to the Bloody Sunday Tragedy
Thirteen people were tragically shot dead on January 30, 1972, when members of the Army's Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside area of Londonderry. This devastating incident is widely regarded as one of the darkest days of the Northern Ireland Troubles, leaving deep scars on the community and the families of the victims.
Review Process and Legal Complexities
The PPS received a formal request on behalf of the families of eight victims to review decisions previously taken regarding former soldiers identified as Soldiers F, H, J, M, P, S, U, and V. This review followed an earlier decision in April 2024 not to prosecute sixteen individuals in relation to allegations of false evidence given to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.
A spokesperson for the PPS explained that the review reached a similar conclusion to the original decision, noting that much of the evidence relied upon by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry would not be admissible in criminal proceedings for perjury or perverting the course of justice. This includes accounts provided by soldiers back in 1972.
The spokesperson emphasised: "The standard of proof required to obtain a conviction in a criminal prosecution is high. Prosecutors must make an independent assessment of the prospects of conviction based upon the evidence that would be admissible in criminal proceedings."
Families' Disappointment and Continued Pursuit of Justice
The PPS acknowledged that this outcome does not reflect the hopes and expectations of the Bloody Sunday families, recognising it as another deeply disappointing development after decades of seeking justice for their loved ones. A detailed written explanation has been provided to the families to help them understand the legal reasoning behind the decision.
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood described the PPS decision as "incredible", stating: "It's impossible to overstate the scale of the burden that has been placed on the families of the dead and injured on Bloody Sunday. For more than 50 years, they have had to fight every conceivable institution of the state for truth, justice and accountability."
Solicitor Ciaran Shiels, who represents several of the Bloody Sunday families, has publicly criticised the PPS decision, while Mr Eastwood reaffirmed his support: "As I always have, and as the people of Derry always have, we will fully support the Bloody Sunday families in the days and weeks ahead. These families are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice and we're with them every step of the way."
Distinction Between Inquiry and Criminal Proceedings
The PPS spokesperson further clarified that today's decisions in no way diminish the findings by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, emphasising that a public inquiry and a criminal trial are fundamentally different processes with distinct rules of evidence. Material that could be considered in an inquiry context may not be available or admissible in criminal proceedings.
This development follows last year's acquittal of former paratrooper Soldier F, who was cleared of killing two civilians during Bloody Sunday at a criminal trial in Belfast Crown Court. The families continue their long-standing campaign for truth and accountability regarding the events of that fateful day in 1972.
