A murder investigation into the Bloody Sunday atrocity in Derry could take up to four years, according to the police in charge of the new enquiry.
As the British government confirmed that police in Northern Ireland will investigate the shooting of 14 people to their deaths in Derry almost 40 years ago, the officer in charge of the case warned of its enormity.
A statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland quoted chief constable Matt Baggott on the complexity of the investigation.
British soldiers shot 13 civil rights marchers dead on the day in Derry almost 40 years ago, with another victim dying in hospital weeks later.
The PSNI statement confirmed that up to 30 officers will be involved in the case, which could take up to four years to investigate.
The decision to treat the Bloody Sunday massacre as a murder case comes after Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service and the PSNI reviewed the findings of the Saville inquiry, which found that all those shot or injured were innocent.
The Irish Times reports that Lord Saville’s 5,000-page report was deeply critical of the British paratroopers deployed in Derry on the day and of the orders given by their commanding officer.
The report was finally published in 2010 after 12 years and a cost of some $300 million.
It found that unjustified firing by British soldiers caused the deaths and that none of the dead had posed a threat at the Bogside on January 30th, 1972, when parachute regiment troops opened fire during a civil rights march.
PSNI Chief Constable Baggott explained: “It’s going to be a lengthy investigation. This has to be done to modern standards of murder investigation which is both resource-intensive and prolonged.
“We understand fully our legal obligations and are committed to doing this.”
“Firstly, I need to bring a conversation with the policing board in October in order to work through the implications and the consequences.”
Campaigner John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was one of the victims, told local media of his hope that prosecution would come soon.
He said: “The Saville report was totally damning of the troops and found that they unjustifiably murdered our people.
“It shouldn’t take much longer to come to the point where these guys should be prosecuted for what they did.”
Northern Ireland assembly member Gerry Kelly said: “I want to know when the police would move ahead with the investigation.
“This is a huge issue. People have waited a long time for justice in terms of this.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.DanOLoingsigh | Jul 11, 2012, 02:35 PM EDT
IrelandNorth - taking a different tack regarding Mrs McConville though?
IrelandNorth | Jul 11, 2012, 08:36 AM EDT
'Cold case' murders take longer to investigate than contemporary ones. And distance in time is a complicating factor. NB It's a reinvestigation - ie from scratch! Bloody Sunday, (Ireland's second such!), was Kent State massacre - on steroids! This is a struggle between democratic Britain and imperial Britain. Some of our more reactionaries are posting under new pseudonoms. Derry/Lundyderry journalist Eamon Mc Cann's "Bloody Sunday in Derry" is essential reading for this monumental British diplomatic faux pas. This and countless other tragedies was/is symptomatic of a greater malaise called British imperialism. Why treat of the symptoms alone. Let justice prevail even though the heavens may fall!
eredmack | Jul 09, 2012, 11:05 PM EDT
I find it disturbing that there is such a rapid response to releasing the Boston College tapes, yet there is such a dragging of feet concerning the Bloody Sundy tragedy.
seamus60 | Jul 09, 2012, 05:39 PM EDT
maireadinmelb. Of course they`re gonna keep bringing Martin up in relation to Bloody Sunday. By his own admission he was in control of the RA in Derry at the time. Like someone else said, this is all political posturing. Robinson has to be seen by unionists (whose troops are in the firing line) to be doing something in reply. There are many other things the brits could nail Marty on, much easier than anything to do with Bloody Sunday. His old admission has been churned to death. Martins job now is to do as he is told by his paymasters. There will be no trials, there will be no convictions, there will be no unveiling of who gave the orders from their political position. In this Ireland of equals (lol) there are secrets that get drip fed to give the impression of exposure and disclosure. But the real saucey stuff is sacrement to the leaders from all sides.
seanomelb | Jul 09, 2012, 12:25 AM EDT
You wait and see Dano!!
DanOLoingsigh | Jul 08, 2012, 07:52 PM EDT
That's witnesses, not defendants!!
seanomelb | Jul 08, 2012, 07:11 PM EDT
Will they be hidden behind curtains and not allowed to face the families of the dead?I feel another Diplock in the wind and it smells.
DanOLoingsigh | Jul 08, 2012, 11:23 AM EDT
mcbride292 - The soldiers will presumably be the defendants...like in all common law trials, they have a right to remain silent...and it's a trial, so won't cost anything like the enquiry
mcbride292 | Jul 08, 2012, 08:49 AM EDT
This is a good idea if you can get the Brit sobs who lied in the first place to come forward. Where is another 300 million going to come from to pay for this?
maireadinmelb | Jul 08, 2012, 02:52 AM EDT
I am not defending SF seamus - I am not in the habit of defending martin and gerry - but i am a republican! I also want to see equality for a long time. THe issue here is the bringing up of martin mcguiness every time bloody sunday comes up is to try and deflect from the conduct of the british military! No other people were murdered in Derry that day that we know of! So when they work out the persons who murdered those on bloody sunday and they have evidence of any other crimes then they can investigate them.
Beedee | Jul 08, 2012, 12:03 AM EDT
crestonave, Bravo!! "never a truer word was spoke"
Beedee | Jul 07, 2012, 11:56 PM EDT
Aloistmartin, I don't quite understand your comment in reply to mine. I have much resentment towards the British and what they have done to my countrymen/women. My 17 yr old brother-in-law was shot in the back by the RUC, seventeen bullets no less! he was literally 'cornered', with no chance of escape, why would they kill him? They had him there to arrest & handcuff and have him jailed for whatever he was doing that frightened them so much. I don't know who or what you are (Nationalitywise) but you have to admit the British have left a footprint wherever they have stumbled on 'untamed savages'....Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia. They are renowned for their brutality and disregard of the rights of the people they wanted to 'civilise'by creating British Colonies. I apologise if I have offended anyone!
seamus60 | Jul 07, 2012, 09:02 PM EDT
maireadinmelb I agree that if there is evidence of a murder the suspect should be presented to a court. The reason Martin will be feeling the heat. What evidence is vailed behind his immunity certs. Why is his party now saying no one should go to prison , even these para`s if convicted, when we have Irish people in british prisons who have been found guilty of nothing. We have heard DEMANDS from the SDLP on the issue yet SF apply next to no pressure on their behalf. The split with the Bloody Sunday families was another failed smoke and mirrors exercise gone wrong for SF. They had believed they had manipulated all of the families to be chuffed and walking away happy at the end of Camerons speech. Thankfully a few seen right through the manipulation and announced their demand for prosecutions. They found themselves being ostracised by the Bloody Sunday committee which SF had controlled for years. They went against the grain and upheld their and the peoples right to continue to march for justice. SF were`nt happy and even started black propaganda against these families. Didn`t work and there was a brilliant response to the next march. SF went as far as asking where the people on the march got their mandate. lol
aloistmartin | Jul 07, 2012, 04:51 PM EDT
Beedee@ Dear Lord, those Squeaky British Wheels !
DanOLoingsigh | Jul 07, 2012, 03:38 PM EDT
The law should apply to everyone equally, so investigation should proceed…followed by prosecutions where sufficient evidence is established.
Beedee | Jul 07, 2012, 01:10 PM EDT
Aloistmartin. Jews, American Indians, the Black former Slaves of America? What are you on about? I think you and a lot of other bigots should have a good think about what you are saying. If any people are victims of oppression and cruelty,ie starvation, murder, and social exclusion, to survive, they will do whatever it takes.I can't quite remember all of your Adolfish rant, but you did mention something about Indian spirits being traded for poker chips. It is shameful that these proud people have had to resort to this. You also said something about the Irish receiving cheques in the Mail. If you refer to Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, ergo British, they are entitled to any Social Security Benefits their circumstances demand. No more, no less than any other British citizen.
Beedee | Jul 07, 2012, 12:31 PM EDT
Surely this 'incident' was investigated shortly after it happened. If not, why not? it was close to 40 years ago, why will it take another 4 years for a new investigation to determine the outcome? The Bloody Sunday crime was seen all over the World, thanks to Television. The marchers were shot down in cold blood, they were no threat to the well armed British Army. This Mr Baggott managed to reach Chief Constable status, which would require a good smattering of intelligence, he could probably work this out in a week. And what's this he says about "modern standards of murder investigation" and "implications and consequences" It's FACT these 14 people were murdered by over-zealous British Soldiers, were it in any other country where there are troops deployed in a 'peacekeeping' role it would have been correctly descriped as a massacre. Just because it didn't happen in some jungle, doesn't make it any less a crime.
jamthecat | Jul 07, 2012, 12:04 PM EDT
Took 'em long enough.
Realist | Jul 07, 2012, 04:40 AM EDT
seamus60: My compliments. An excellent summary and display of perspicacity. That is pretty much how I see it also. I defer, once again, to the late Brendan Hughes, "It's a British solution, it's not an Irish solution. It's not a solution that we have control of." Personally, I have no problem with this at all....it is simply legal due process. However, I can't help contrasting the enthusiasm of the usual suspects for this new enquiry with their "it will damage the peace process" excuses for holding on to the Boston College tapes....lol. Anyway, it is all a big game and if anyone thinks the British do not know exactly what they are doing or how to win in the end....then, good. That is precisely what you're supposed to think.
maireadinmelb | Jul 07, 2012, 03:22 AM EDT
What are you on about seamus? if there is evidence of a murder of course those who are accused should be presented to a court, the conduct in question is not Martin's or SF or even the IRA's. It is the conduct of british soldiers that is being investigated. What will be interesting will be the rules of evidence and whether or not there will be a jury? Will their be a diplock court? Will the investigation be treated seriously or will it be pushed under the table like the stalker inquiry??
seamus60 | Jul 06, 2012, 09:26 PM EDT
This has the potential to really stick a few cats amongst the pigeons and proceed as a real game changer. Why would the brits allow this in the knowledge that no soldier will ever stand trial, whats in it for them Is it A. To boost Martins image amongst Nationalists, a lot of whom don`t even deem themselves as republican but look on him differantly since the handshake. 4 new schools for Derry anounced by O Dowd on the eve of the handshake and now this as to give the impression this is how you can get things done when you play ball. This is only short term though and will eventually hit black ice at whatever point its halted as not in the public interest, decided by the brits. Martin then faces the backlash that nothing has changed and all his self appreciation was nothing more than hot air with a good salary attached. B. Martin is being deliberately placed behind the 8 ball. The announcement had barely hit the wires and Gregory Campbell was straight out of the starting blocks shouting that should any brit be presented before a court, Mc Guinness and others should also be charged. The brits would have invisaged this and have decided to go with it. As a result Marty and many others will have to engage in a process of securing a deal that totally rules out any sentences being served. This will not go down well with the Nationalist population in view of the fact that SF have done so little for those Irish still interned. Hours after the announcement Raymond Mc Cartney (SF) was on Talkback saying no one, even these brits should go to prison. Not looking good for the pigeons regardless. We now have cracks appearing between Martin and Peter. And as Martin has already sold all his principles he can take flak for the brits or he can face the prospect of Exemption from prosecution certs going missing. After all if they can lose a royal pardon they can loose many other documents.
canadianirish | Jul 06, 2012, 07:33 PM EDT
Couldn't agree more, seanomelb. The story that appeared on July 3 - "The IRA won't apologize to military victims of the Troubles" elicited 52 responses. Hmmmm....
seanomelb | Jul 06, 2012, 06:36 PM EDT
Four years is a stalling tactic and justice denied. I've viewed the documentaries that canadianirish mentioned (some years ago) and he is spot on.I wonder where Fallsrdnat,Dano,Ciaradexy and the rest of the bleeding heart west brit apologists are and not to leave out the moronic bythebay. Their silence id deafening.
aloistmartin | Jul 06, 2012, 06:12 PM EDT
The Irish have joined the Jews, The American Indian, and The Former American Slaves, In Extorting Reparations in the name of Ideals, The Capitalist Bourgeoisie in Dublin, has no hope of ever following suit upon ! The Jews Zionist Globalizationist Conspiracies, have turned Germany into a Den of Demoralized, Greedy, Slimy, Snakes ! The American Indian trades his Great Spirits fro Poker Chips ! And the Irish will still be recieving Checks in the Mail, long after Reunification with the British Empire @!..?
dickmac | Jul 06, 2012, 05:40 PM EDT
The farce continues ! This has been covered up for years. The Brits had all the weapons that were used in the event destroyed and a lot of the records are gone. If I am not mistaken they have also cleared the paratrooers used.
sirpeter | Jul 06, 2012, 04:53 PM EDT
I bet the Brits never thought it would come to this.
bunkerhill | Jul 06, 2012, 04:21 PM EDT
Thank you canadianirish? I will try to locate these documentaries on the internet. I agree with durtymurphy. Where are all the posters given this question which so relevant to so many families? Dogs and royals get far more coverage.
canadianirish | Jul 06, 2012, 01:37 PM EDT
I would recommend two documentaries worth viewing: 'The Patriot Game' (1 hr. 35 min.) and 'Irish Ways' (50 min.) for scenes of live footage from 30Jan1972. On Bloody Sunday, the Loyalist paramilitaries used lethal CS Gas and directed it at innocent men, women and children. This action was sanctioned by the commander of 1 Para, Lt. Col. Derek Wilford who also sanctioned the shooting of men, women, young girls and boys. I have a still photo of Wilford watching as his soldiers fire in the direction of Free Derry Corner and another of a young Knights of Malta paramedic in a crumpled heap having been attacked by two members of 1 Para, which was in direct violation of the Geneva convention. These photos have been widely published as were many others. Let's call Bloody Sunday what it was - a British murdering spree - or as a friend in NI refers to it: "a day of action perpetrated by 22,000 British troops, 13,000 police and a vile group of professional British assasins." I applaud those who are behind this murder trial. Bring those monsters before the court. Justice shall be served!
durtymurphy | Jul 06, 2012, 01:29 PM EDT
A lot of posters gone quiet all of a sudden?
crestonave | Jul 06, 2012, 11:59 AM EDT
This is exactly the type of tyranny that people can expect when they are disarmed and left to the mercy of the government. When guns are outlawed, only criminals will have guns.
hancock | Jul 06, 2012, 11:01 AM EDT
English murdering terrorists.
mamaginnty | Jul 06, 2012, 10:46 AM EDT
To little ...to late. I could give them a list of names...of innocent Catholics who were shot in the back by the British troops. " come live with us to know us "
bunkerhill | Jul 06, 2012, 10:34 AM EDT
If this had happened anyplace else on earth, or had been carried out by any army other then the "British" army there would have been worldwide outrage. American Author Gail Sheehy tells a harrowing story in the prelude to her book "Passages." Sheehy was standing on the sidelines next to a thirteen year old Irish boy watching the peaceful civil rights marchers when the British Army started firing into the crowd. To her horror the thirteen year old boy next to her had been shot in the forehead and killed. We have had enough of this empire building twaddle, the idle royals and their Hollywood friends. Starting wars around the world to gain the possessions of people and their homelands so you can live idly in a palace is nothing to crow about. Indeed it is horrific conduct and should be recognized as such. I sincerely hope that the families of the victims receive compensation directly from the royal trusts as the UK citizens seem to be in bad straits along with the rest of Europe. But then I guess the commoners always were.
Murph46 | Jul 06, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT
Four years ,and they probably won't KNOW any more than they did.I'll take the under on indictments!
Tooreenagrena | Jul 06, 2012, 09:58 AM EDT
Four years is a joke. If the murders happened tday would it take four years to investigate, no is the answer. And yet these murders are already fully documented. More delaying in the hope that people die off.