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38 years later, following a 12 year inquiry of monumental cost, what many already knew to be true is finally established and accepted.
“What happened on Bloody Sunday was both unjustified and unjustifiable. It was wrong.”
“The Government is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the armed forces. And for that, on behalf of the Government, indeed on behalf of our country, I am deeply sorry.”
“These are shocking conclusions to read and shocking words to have to say. But you do not defend the British Army by defending the indefensible.”
“There is no point trying to soften or equivocate what is in the report. It is clear from the tribunal’s authoritative conclusions that the events of Bloody Sunday were in no way justified.”
(British Prime Minister David Cameron – June 15th 2010)
As were car bombs, pub bombs and even just hurling rocks and “missiles” at troops. The actions of IRA and UDA led to plenty of innocent deaths.
Groups responsible and number of deaths
Republican paramilitary groups 2057
Loyalist paramilitary groups 1019
British security forces 363
Persons unknown 82
Irish security forces 5
Total 3526It’s time we moved on, this is just opening old wounds.
@pete wrote:
It’s time we moved on, this is just opening old wounds.
With all due respect, a dismissive generalisation such as that is neither appropriate or infused with any educated insight into the magnitude of today’s events Pete.
I will further that respect to you by refraining from delving deeper into the flawed rationale (if any) of such an “observation”
All I will say is … On the contrary, it is perhaps one of the most massive steps in the final closing of old wounds my friend.As for the tragic list of deaths you chose to readily make available, it is unequivocal, official and (alas) accepted as a harrowing testament to the horrors of The Troubles.
This can never be contested or denied.
However, the events of January 1972 were not granted such a status until this very day.
The relatives of the slain in one of Northern Ireland’s most notorious incidents were thoroughly vindicated in their search for truth, justice and accountability today – This in no way takes away from those who haven’t been vindicated over the years or the impact of the pain and injustices carried out elsewhere in the Ulster conflict.
Yes, this was ONE incident, but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you the awful repercussions of this ONE event. Your list of the dead says it all.There is no monopoly on grief, nor should there be a moratorium.
That is why such painful, raw revisitations must continue. Establishing cause, action, reaction. Creating, God willing, an environment where such things cannot happen again.
This is crucial.
This is moving on. But not at the drop of a hat, or a sweeping under the carpet.. not through pie in the sky simplicities or mere hope of forgetting through the mists of time.So, if you take the time to perhaps study the painful realities, you will see that only in facing it’s demons one last time can Northern Ireland be ever free of them. That countless North / South as well as British mainland bodies are conducting vast inquires still, to establish at least some truths and reconciliations, and that these are essential to “moving on” and maintaining the current peace.
May the innocents now finally R.I.P must have been the worst of days..
Bless xx
To serve justice, injustice must first be identified and recognised :roll:
They weren’t officially no, but everyone knew that the people killed that day were unarmed. Did it really need this enquiry ? Has this really settled the matter or simply stirred up bad feeling, and I hate to say it, but in some cases greed. Did McGuinness ever apologise, did anyone ever say sorry for any of the troubles, whether catholic or protestant, Army or Police.
I hope this does heal but i fear a tiny minority may use it as an excuse for violence. Let’s hope the people of all sides in Ireland don’t allow this to happen.True cost of inquiry = 3 mill sterling
(Minimum)Amount lined in New Labour Lawyers pockets ( like Mansfield) = half of that.
Other unwarranted deaths in Ulster but without follow-up Inquiry during 1970s ?
Get Real.
Blair announced this whole shebang while he was also apologising for Slavery, and even I was young and intelligent then.
.
I think the country should practice what I preach. I’m quick to say that Israel should act like a mature, functioning state when their armed forces go a bit far. I don’t see how I could argue Britain shouldn’t.
The forces of the state shot dead over a dozen of its own citizens and wounded over a dozen more. Modern democratic states claim their ultimate legitimacy through the will of the people. In order that they hold that sort of authority it is essential that they behave and hold themselves to higher standards, at the very least towards their own citizens, than a bunch of homicidal gangster terrorists. I believe to do anything else breeds notions of injustice, infuses resentment and ultimately feeds a struggle that becomes worth killing and dying for. That means any failings of this sort of magnitude by the state must be fully and rigorously investigated. It also means that the lessons arising from that investigation be studied extremely carefully in order that it never be allowed to happen again.
When’s the Bloody Friday enquiry ?
I recently saw in a paper that one of the soldiers involved in this , accused of deliberately opening fire on a civilian after things had “calmed down ” has refused to appear before the court.
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