30 Jan 1972: Bloody Sunday paratroop massacre, 14 shot dead

[TonyGosling]

Heath and Carrington in Bloody Sunday fear
Staff and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/jun/10/bloodysunday.northernirelan d
Mon 10 Jun 2002 16.11 BST

Former prime minister Sir Edward Heath and ex-foreign secretary Lord Carrington have launched a bid to give evidence to the Bloody Sunday inquiry in London instead of Northern Ireland, because they claim their lives are in danger, it emerged today.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the veteran Tories have claimed in an application to the tribunal that their lives could be put at risk if they have to travel to Derry, Co Londonderry.

With the inquiry due to move to London in September, the lawyers have also argued the two men should be allowed to take the witness stand there because of their ages - Sir Edward will be 86 and Lord Carrington will be 83 when they have to testify.


A typical hour in the life of the Irish border
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While no medical condition prevents them travelling, lawyers argue that on common sense and humanitarian grounds both men would be placed under severe strain if they had to travel to Northern Ireland. No specifics on the terrorist threat have been given to the inquiry.

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However lawyers have said if there were to be an attack on Sir Edward and Lord Carrington, age would limit the ability of both men to escape.

Police witnesses and soldiers who have succeeded in legal bids to retain their anonymity have claimed they could be targeted by republicans if identified.

Relatives of the 13 people killed on Bloody Sunday have, however, dismissed these claims, arguing no terror group would dare target witnesses at the Saville inquiry. The inquiry ruled police witnesses and soldiers must travel to give evidence in Derry.

Wherever they appear, Sir Edward and Lord Carrington will be expected to come under rigorous cross-examination from lawyers acting on behalf of the families when they take the witness stand.

Families of the victims have long argued that authorisation for the Bloody Sunday killings came from the highest possible level in government.

[TonyGosling]

Bloody Sunday Trust: Events at Londonderry parade a 'setback'
15 August 2019
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-49355150

The police flanked members of Clyde Valley Flute Band from Larne during Saturday's parade in Londonderry
The Bloody Sunday Trust said work needs to be done to restore relationships in Derry after a band wore Parachute Regiment insignia during a parade in the city.

Clyde Valley Flute Band from Larne, County Antrim, wore the emblem with the letter 'F' on its shirts during Saturday's Apprentice Boys parade.

Tony Doherty, the trust's chairman, described the events as a setback.

The Apprentice Boys again said there was no prior agreement on symbols.

Mr Doherty also said the Apprentice Boys had yet to respond to the trust's request to meet, but added he expected one soon.

Apprentice Boys governor Graeme Stenhouse told BBC Radio Foyle the association is open to meeting "any groups in the city who wish to discuss the incidents and issues from last week".

Negotiator says band 'no longer welcome'
Apprentice Boys recognise 'upset' over band uniform
PSNI defends loyalist parade tactics
Petrol bombs thrown at police in Londonderry
Thousands in Derry for Apprentice Boys parade
Thirteen people were shot dead when members of the Army's Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972.

An ex-paratrooper, known as Soldier F, is facing prosecution for two murders.


Media caption'We recognise that this may have caused upset'
On Tuesday, the Apprentice Boys said they recognised the potential upset caused to nationalists.

Mr Doherty, whose father Patrick was among those killed, said the trust had given "a guarded welcome" to the statement.

"In our view there is much more to be done to restore relationships in our shared city," he said.

"We value relationships and wish to see our city prosper and thrive.

"The events of last Saturday are clearly a setback and we must all play our part in ensuring that the full gravity of the situation is acknowledged and understood, that the full facts of how it came about be established, and to receive full assurances that the matter will be dealt with properly allowing for no repeat ever."

Image caption
Members of Clyde Valley Flute Band from Larne wore the symbol with the letter 'F' on their shirts during Saturday's parade
He said the trust is due to meet the PSNI on Friday to discuss its concerns.

"We also fully expect to receive a response from the Apprentice Boys soon," he added.

Mr Stenhouse told BBC Radio Foyle the association is hoping to keep the "good dialogue that's been going on for the last 20 years with different groups in the nationalist community".

"We will be hoping to speak to them at the earliest opportunity to discuss any issues they have."

Mr Stenhouse again said there was no prior agreement with police or other parties banning any emblems and said senior officials from the association will meet with the Clyde Valley band later on Thursday.

On Wednesday, four of the 145 bands who marched on Saturday pulled their support for the Apprentice Boys of Derry in light of their statement condemning the Clyde Valley Flute Band's actions.

Rathcoole Protestant Boys said they would not participate in another Apprentice Boys of Derry parade again, while Cloughfern Young Conquerors and Pride of Ballybeen have also decided to terminate contacts with the Derry organisation.

The Pride of Greenisland said it too would be unable to attend any future Apprentice Boys of Derry parades in the city.