The Bloody Sunday massacre which happened in 1972 (before I was born) is hitting the news again as they discuss prosecuting the Paras involved.
It is most peoples “horse-sense” to be outraged that due to the Good Friday agreement the IRA (and other groups) were set free but the British soldiers involved, some in their 60s and early 70s now, are facing prosecution.
On the face of it I did initially feel tempted to agree with the majority, after all ... the IRA considers themselves as combatants so why should they get off Scott free when the British army are getting charged ...but....there is apparently more considered facts and allegations which needs to be analysed here before deciding which side to take (not that it needs to be such a binary decision)
....now also remember that the army do have a certain “rule of engagement”
On the face of it I did initially feel tempted to agree with the majority, after all ... the IRA considers themselves as combatants so why should they get off Scott free when the British army are getting charged ...but....there is apparently more considered facts and allegations which needs to be analysed here before deciding which side to take (not that it needs to be such a binary decision)
....now also remember that the army do have a certain “rule of engagement”
One such statement which would perhaps flow against the treads would be “Then, while Doherty lay crying in agony, a 41-year-old man called Barney McGuigan stepped out from behind a block of flats to try to get help for the dying man. McGuigan was waving a white handkerchief. According to the testimony of numerous witnesses, including an officer from another regiment stationed on the city walls, soldier F — positioned on the other side of the road — got down on one knee and shot McGuigan through the head” this statement shakes my impulses a wee bit when wanting to choose between the old “goodies verse baddies” scenario
Great book which I highly recommend and I do agree with the findings of the Saville inquiry.
My conclusions from reading this are that “Solider F” deserves to be prosecuted (possibly Solider H too) I also believe the (provo and official) IRA were present on that fateful day, armed and did fire (in response) Martin McGuiness was at one point most certainly armed (and possibly fired)
During the inquiry lies (perjury) were done by both sides. The IRA did intimidate witnesses although not always directly and they have used and continue to use Bloody Sunday as propaganda to their cause. I also believe the Widgery inquiry was a blatant whitewash.
I still believe our armed forces are the best in the world and that event should not reflect then overall (or even their service during the troubles)
As for Gerry Adam’s demands at the time (and repeated by others more recently) for other inquires to take place over British military involvement in Ireland I would say...Quid pro quo, if you want to open old wounds then let’s discuss (as Murray makes a point of comparison in this book) the La Mon Hotel massacre, Warrenpoint, Warrington, Enniskillen, Claudy or Birmingham or the disappearances of Jean McConville or Bloody Friday where without warning the IRA set off twenty bombs across Belfast in the space of 75 minutes killing 9 and wounding 130 people.
Read this book, come to your own conclusions and dont get caught in the trap of trail by social media.
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