SEVEN of the British soldiers who opened fire on Bloody Sunday are expected to be interviewed by police in the next two months, families of the victims have been told.
The victims’ families, along with the surviving injured, met police in Derry for an update on a murder investigation into the 1972 killings. The investigation was launched after the dead and injured were exonerated by the Saville Inquiry.
PSNI detective chief inspector Ian Harrison, who is in charge of the inquiry, told the families that 26 of the 29 soldiers who opened fire were still alive. He said police have already interviewed 34 former soldiers as witnesses as well as 310 civilian witnesses.
However, DCI Harrison also revealed that 55 military witnesses and more than 200 civilian witnesses have refused to engage with the murder inquiry.
John Kelly, whose brother Michael (17) was one of those shot dead, said the families were pleased that the investigation was moving on. However, he expressed concern that it could be some time before the inquiry was completed.
“We have been waiting for justice; it’s been five and a half years since the Saville Report was issued and nearly three years since this investigation started. Time is of the essence.
“If you think about it, 300 eye witnesses have already passed away and all of the victims’ parents have died,” Mr Kelly said.
Mr Kelly said DCI Harrison told relatives that after police completed their investigation, all the evidence would be sent to the Public Prosecution Service which would make a decision on the way forward.
Mr Kelly expressed concern that so many military witnesses had refused to engage with the investigation.
“We were told the police have located all the soldiers who opened fire on Bloody Sunday. We are pleased with that; at least we know where we stand now,” he said.
Mr Kelly said police told the families they were not aware of any moves to hand the Bloody Sunday investigation over to any legacy unit.
“I asked that question because we would be very opposed to any such move,” he said.
