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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
David Young

Bloody Sunday families’ 50-year quest for justice

Here are some of the key dates in the decades-long campaign for justice by the families of civilians killed by soldiers on Bloody Sunday in January 1972.

– January 30 1972

The Parachute Regiment opens fire on a crowd taking part in a civil rights march in Derry Thirteen people are killed and 15 others injured.

– April 1972

An inquiry led by Lord Chief Justice Lord Widgery supports the soldiers’ version of events, that they were returning fire. Bereaved families dismiss the report as a whitewash.

– February 1992

First meeting of the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign.

File photo dated 19/04/72 of Lord Widgery, the Lord Chief Justice, pictured in his room at the Old Baily as he looks through his report on the “Bloody Sunday” shootings in Londonderry. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday January 27, 2022. Sunday will mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. See PA story ULSTER BloodySunday. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire

– January 1994

The campaign writes to prime minister John Major seeking a full independent inquiry.

– February 1994

Mr Major refuses because there has already been a public inquiry by Lord Widgery.

– January 1997

A 40,000-signature petition calling for a new inquiry is delivered by the campaign to 10 Downing Street.

– January 1998

Prime minister Tony Blair announces a new inquiry, with Lord Saville of Newdigate appointed to chair the probe.

File photo dated 13/10/10 of Rt Hon Lord Saville of Newdigate, Chairman of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday January 27, 2022. Sunday will mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. See PA story ULSTER BloodySunday. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire

– November 2000-September 2002

The Saville Inquiry hears oral evidence.

– August 2001

Soldiers announce they will seek a judicial review of the decision of the inquiry that military witnesses must give their evidence in Derry.

– December 2001

The Court of Appeal rules that the soldiers can give evidence in London.

– September 2002-October 2003

The inquiry is held in Methodist Central Hall, Westminster.

– October 2003-November 2004

The inquiry moves back to Derry.

File photo dated 15/06/10 of people watching Prime Minister David Cameron on a giant screen making a statement to the House of Commons regarding the findings of the Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday, outside the Guildhall in Londonderry.. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday January 27, 2022. Sunday will mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. See PA story ULSTER BloodySunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

– June 2010

Lord Saville delivers his findings that there was no justification for shooting any of those killed or wounded. Prime minister David Cameron issues a public apology. saying the killings were “unjustified and unjustifiable”.

– July 2012

The Police Service of Northern Ireland formally launches a murder investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday.

– September-October 2018

The first Ministry of Defence compensation settlement in relation to Bloody Sunday victims is awarded.

– March 2019

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announces that one former soldier, known as Soldier F, will be prosecuted for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O’Donnell.

Sixteen other former soldiers and two suspected ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were also investigated as part of the major police murder probe, will not face prosecution.

File photo dated 12/04/19 of motorcyclists taking part in the Rolling Thunder ride protest in London, to support of Soldier F who was facing prosecution over Bloody Sunday. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday January 27, 2022. Sunday will mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. See PA story ULSTER BloodySunday. Photo credit should read: Sophie Hogan/PA Wire

– April 2019

Protests in support of Soldier F take place across the UK.

– September 2019

The case against Soldier F is heard in court for the first time at a sitting of Derry Magistrates’ Court.

The veteran was not present in court for the short hearing.

– April 2021

The families of five of those killed announce that they will legally challenge the decision of the PPS not to prosecute five veterans.

The families of Jackie Duddy, Michael Kelly, John Young, Michael McDaid and William McKinney are granted permission by the High Court to challenge decisions not to prosecute several other former members of the Parachute Regiment.

File photo dated 02/07/21 of John Kelly, whose 17 year old brother Michael was killed on Bloody Sunday, speaks to the media outside the City Hotel in Londonderry, following a meeting with senior PPS lawyers, after the prosecution of two former soldiers over three deaths during Northern Ireland’s troubled past were halted. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday January 27, 2022. Sunday will mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. See PA story ULSTER BloodySunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

– July 2021

The PPS announces it is discontinuing the prosecution of Soldier F for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney amid concerns that the case could collapse in light of a separate court ruling on the admissibility of evidence which caused the collapse of another Troubles murder trial involving two military veterans. The McKinney family signal their intent to challenge the PPS decision on Solider F in the courts.

– September 2021

The various legal challenges against the PPS are heard together before three senior judges. Decisions not to prosecute five soldiers are challenged. Judgment is reserved and has yet to be delivered.

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