If the actions of the British Army on Bloody Sunday are to be investigated by the North's police force, then Martin McGuinness' role on the day must be investigated too the North's First Minister Peter Robinson said on Thursday.
According to the Independent, the Deputy First Minister was an IRA leader in Derry in January 1972 when the shootings happened leading Robinson to ask: 'How could you avoid an inquiry into that and say that we're going to have an inquiry into the Army personnel that were there? The Deputy First Minister has openly admitted that he was in charge. If that was the case then there has to be an investigation if you're investigating the Army.'
McGuinness recently won political points from many in the unionist community for publicly shaking the Queen's hand in a gesture of reconciliation.
The Saville report into Bloody Sunday confirmed the innocence of the thirteen men shot dead by the British paratroopers but it also claimed that McGuinness gave the wrong information about his movements that day.
The report concluded he was probably carrying a machine gun but did not engage in 'any activity that provided any of the soldiers with any justification for opening fire.' A fourteenth victim of the paratroopers died several months later.
Responding to the Robinson's call for a counter investigation McGuinness said: 'Lord Saville was very clear in his report into Bloody Sunday that the IRA had no responsibility for what happened on that day. I consider comments from unionist politicians today in the wake of the decision of the PSNI to investigate the events of Bloody Sunday as an attempt to divert attention away from the actions of the Parachute Regiment on that day. It is clear that they do not want to see the Paras investigated for murder.'
Bloody Sunday was called 'unjustified and "unjustifiable' by British Prime Minister David Cameron as he unveiled the report into the controversial shootings. Lord Saville concluded that all the civil rights protesters shot dead were innocent and the soldiers opened fire in the mistaken belief that they were under threat.
The findings from the Saville Inquiry cannot be used as evidence in the new police probe, however.
Some unionist politicians have said they are furious with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Matt Baggot's decision to open an investigation, are in response are demanding that the inquiry be widened to include the murders of two RUC officers shot dead by the IRA in Derry just days before Bloody Sunday. One of the gunmen involved reportedly used a sub-machine gun.
Kate Nash, whose nineteen year old brother William was among the Bloody Sunday victims, told the Independent that the relatives were still seeking justice.
'We never asked for an (Saville) inquiry,' Nash told the press. 'We always asked for prosecutions because my brother was an innocent victim. They were all innocent.'
Nash said the police inquiry should go to wherever the evidence took them, even if it meant McGuinness being questioned as well.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seanomelb | Jul 10, 2012, 07:25 PM EDT
Really Dano you've wasted thousands of words defending your anti-Irish views.
Kilsally | Jul 10, 2012, 11:35 AM EDT
either truth and justice is sought for all the victims or a line should be drawn under the past - currently seems to be a mish mash of both with a heirachy of victims. sinn fein have struggled so much in order to have terrorists who have blown up shops and civilians and been blown up themselves whilst planting the bombs to be classified as victims that they have had to say that the notorious loyalist shankill butchers, who kidnapped random catholics and skinned them before killing them, are also victims
DanOLoingsigh | Jul 10, 2012, 03:21 AM EDT
Seano - Unlike you, I don't defend the indefensible...
seanomelb | Jul 09, 2012, 07:47 PM EDT
I have no British army mates.Maybe you should call bloody sunday "summary justice",you've got to stop throwing stones in that orange tinted glasshouse the shattering glass has somehow dimmed your brain.
DanOLoingsigh | Jul 09, 2012, 09:37 AM EDT
I'm not disputing the events of Bloody Sunday...merely pointing out the difference in your attitude depending on whose on trial...not to mention any defendants rights before and during a trial...NB that's a trial as opposed to the summary 'justice' favoured by your mates....
IrelandNorth | Jul 09, 2012, 08:41 AM EDT
Given that the Northern Ireland Assembly adjourned for their summer recess, can't help wondering if the 6 county neo-provincial administration aren't doing what their 26 county proto-republic comparators have been doing for some time. That is, firing a few salvos across the bows of their respective oppositions in the game of parliamentatry democracy to keep the media fed, so as to tide them over the holiday period.
Schon | Jul 09, 2012, 05:21 AM EDT
It is strange that the statement by Cardinal Daly, that he witnessed the actual shooting of a young man and that on going to his assistance, with others, had to tell a person with a handgun close by to 'stop shooting. your drawing fire down on us' or words to that effect. This was screened on local television during a debate on the Bloody Sunday shootings in the 1970's. I saw no reference to this incident in the recent £192 million lawyer fest. I wonder why?
maireadinmelb | Jul 09, 2012, 04:50 AM EDT
Well said lecorri, obviously the massive report of Justice Saville and his international associates means nothing to some of those in Stormont and reading IC. Jacersagain - free speech! I was responding to another comment I disagreed with! I will not be dictated to by you if people make a comment I disagree with I will comment! Again we are talking about murders on the streets of derry where british military acted! the circumstances are to be investigated! Pretty sure it will go the same way as stalker! But the issue is not Martin - it is the PARAS!
seanomelb | Jul 09, 2012, 12:22 AM EDT
No one (except you of course)have no doubt that innocent civilians were murdered on bloody sunday.The only problem is your bloody mindless drivel.
DanOLoingsigh | Jul 08, 2012, 08:02 PM EDT
Explain??
seanomelb | Jul 08, 2012, 07:18 PM EDT
You have trouble reading Dano, as usual you go off half cocked and fail to understand what I have said, typical I suppose.
DanOLoingsigh | Jul 08, 2012, 03:18 PM EDT
seano can't wait for any trial I see...he's set himself up as judge and jury...how different from his 'wait for the verdict' stance when his chums are on trial?
lecorri | Jul 08, 2012, 02:08 PM EDT
Well hell, if young Peter wants this investigation, surely he will be just fine with adding an investigation of Paisley, no?
seamus60 | Jul 08, 2012, 02:05 PM EDT
jacersagain. I have stated my opinion on republican millitary action many times. That carries no where near the same protection for me as those who share my opinion and tow the party line. Gerry Mc Geough is against violence, look where he is. Instead of questioning my perspective, should you and others not be questioning the party leadership on the issues mentioned in my last post. Its some indictment for any so called republicans to be administering oppressive and undemocratic actions against any one, in view of what started the troubles in the first place. You are facillitating the myth that is allowed to accompany the process, the myth that nothing is as important as the peace itself. Peace is great, but we had that along with gerrymandering etc etc in 1968. Now its only differant suits administering it for the same brit regime.
jacersagain | Jul 08, 2012, 06:13 AM EDT
seamus60: you're way off track. Please get back on the rails of peace. Ditto maireadinmelb.
maireadinmelb | Jul 08, 2012, 02:47 AM EDT
Where have you been young pike did you not get the memo from Maggie thatcher that it is not a war! it is a crime! accordingly the conduct of her soldiers is not protected by the war defense!
seamus60 | Jul 07, 2012, 09:43 PM EDT
Searlit Martin has always come out clean because of all the Teflon the brits have showered him with. Could they be about to turn off the tap. He has lost the republican base he depended on for 30 years, he has surrendered all of his republican principles, he administers british law in Ireland which interns republicans for the crime of just not towing his party line, he administers gerry mandering against Nationalists. I think its only a matter of time before we see civil rights protesters on the streets again. Stornmont remains with the only differance being the men making the decisions, that abuse the people are from both our communitys
seamus60 | Jul 07, 2012, 09:28 PM EDT
michaelidaho. Heres a better idea. We all get together and have a truth commission. with everything laid on the table warts an all. Its Martin and Gerry who have halted the prospect of any such commission by their refusal to take part if the brits are involved with the proceedings What do they fear and what do the brits fear when they don`t atempt to push the issue either. Its looking more like we`ve all been played and the games not over. As for us going back to the bad old days, who`s going to lead a people into it when they are slowly but surely beginning to see who was staying safe during the war. Most people would be able to hold their heads high at any such commission as they believed in what they were doing. Others would drowned in shame when their own find out what they were actually up to.
seamus60 | Jul 07, 2012, 08:26 PM EDT
Martin has a dilema. The very hint at him being investigated will have him feeling very uncomfortable. Lets face it any republican can be investigated under the terms of the GFA be tried and sentenced. A proceedure that has been standard practice against republicans not prepared to tow the party line. Without much complaint either from Martins party. Until yesterday when Raymond Mc Cartney said no one should go to prison for anything that happened during the troubles, even these para`s. So we have all these republicans interned via licence revocation etc and it was something not bothering SF too much. But the hint of Martin being scrutinised and no one should go to prison again. Martin worrying aboout all his and Gerrys immunity from prosecution certs. Which are only served on any one who would otherwise be charged for their incriminating actions. The Supergrass`s come to mind, with all those statements against Marty and Gerry yet neither arrested whilst hundreds around them were. Then operation Tauris halted when near completion concerning both men again. Not in the public interest was the exemption term.
seanomelb | Jul 07, 2012, 07:48 PM EDT
Bloody sunday murder trial is about British terrorist murdering innocent civilians not McGuinness.Is Robinson trying to put a cat among the pigeons?
Searlit | Jul 07, 2012, 07:09 PM EDT
Unfortunately there are still those few who don't want to see peace. I wonder what their angle is? The more mud they throw towards Martin McGuiness, the cleaner he looks.
jacersagain | Jul 07, 2012, 05:36 PM EDT
Good reminding post by aloistmartin - but let's all face up to it: it's still just 18th Century idealistic poetry. This day and this age is one we must fight for peace for our children, whatever the legacies of the past. Our children's tales should speak of how we fought for peace in our land. That's realistic prose.
aloistmartin | Jul 07, 2012, 05:02 PM EDT
The British will never admit to the I.R.A. role in the Irish struggle for Independece. This Fish Soup and Crackers Economic Love Affair, with the British and their Unionist Mercenaries in the Six Counties, is Enough ! to discredit both Martin McGuinness, and Gerry Adams .... "It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! " ~ Patrick Henry - March 23, 1775
jacersagain | Jul 07, 2012, 04:37 PM EDT
(…more) D’ya know what?? I don’t even think the PSNI should, in these days of people peace, try to open murder investigations in relation to the Paras’ wild, inhumane acts that horrible day 40 yrs ago… what good will it bring? Are the Para men who killed innocent people still alive or mentally fit enough in their old age to face trial 40 years on? (If I killed an innocent person, say through a traffic accident, I’d live in or with some form of madness for the rest of my life). And if even eventually convicted of murder, would they be sentenced to life imprisonment? Methinks “Nah!” Let the men who know they shot innocent people wallow for the rest of their lives in the memory of that. Instead, in a spirit of reconciliation and in the cause of maintaining the peace we all deserve on our Irish island, why not just let sleeping dogs lie and let peace continue to reign and move on together? Let our God deliver appropriate justice to those who continue to deny and let us all else keep the peace He wants us all to enjoy. Mr. Robinson, Mr. Drew and PSNI heads of whatever religious ilk you are … are you listening?
jacersagain | Jul 07, 2012, 04:32 PM EDT
That’s Ulster Protestants fer ya… muck-raking against justice. Mr. Robinson should have known better than to raise his NI Assembly and NI Leader’s side-kick, Mr Martin’s comparatively feeble part in the events of Bloody Sunday in response to this PSNI decision. That’s classic “putting your foot in it” stuff, just like Orange Order Leader, Drew Nelson’s call was in front of Seanad Éireann for an Orange Order parade to be allowed in Dublin (stupid plea... of course it's allowed... we live in a democracy after all). That kind of call also raises questions as to Mr. Robinson’s fitness to be a UK regional Leader, compared to his Scottish and Welsh co-regional UK Leaders of regional parliaments. If he had raised that question with his Queen during her recent visit, whadd’ya thinks she wudda said to him? While it is known that Martin did try to respond in a vague militaristic sense to the Parachute Regiment’s fatal attacks on unarmed, innocent Civil Rights marchers, not one Para and not one Loyalist was actually shot in response during that day. There's no comparison needed. (More…)
YoungPike | Jul 07, 2012, 02:29 PM EDT
A murder investigation into a massacre during a war? Then maybe we should launch a murder investigation into the RAF bombing of Dresden!Stop raking up the past and lets get on with building upon reconcilliation.
Seanmor | Jul 07, 2012, 01:37 PM EDT
Since the very thorough and objective Saville investigatin diacovered that the killing of 13 civil rights marchers on Bloody Sunday (may of whom were teenagers) were "unjustified and unjustifiable", there doesn't seem to be any need to investigate the Six-County Deputy First Minister who was formerly a leader in the struggle against British rule and all its injustice in his corned of Ireland.
bunkerisland | Jul 07, 2012, 12:14 PM EDT
And just how old was Martin at the time?
michaelidaho | Jul 07, 2012, 09:20 AM EDT
Here is an idea. Offer a general amnesty, stop looking backwards and build a more peaceful society for the present and future. I thought we were on this track. These investigations and calls for more probes are very dangerous developments. Between the IRA tape recordings subpoena, another Bloody Sunday investigation, and now Unionists calling for investigations into McGuinness's IRA past, Northern Ireland risks being thrown back into the violent, communal bloodshed of the past.