Northern Ireland

Controversial veterans' protest march switched to Coleraine

Bloody Sunday families reacted angrily to plans for a protest march by former British soldiers in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Bloody Sunday families reacted angrily to plans for a protest march by former British soldiers in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Bloody Sunday families reacted angrily to plans for a protest march by former British soldiers in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

A controversial march by former British soldiers which was originally scheduled for Derry is to go ahead in Coleraine.

Justice for Veterans UK intended to parade through Derry on March 4 in protest at moves to prosecute some former soldiers in Troubles-related cases, including those involved in the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings.

Organisers said up to 100 people planned to march from the Waterside to the city's Diamond cenotaph on the edge of the Bogside for a wreath-laying ceremony.

However, the Parades Commission application was withdrawn after it provoked a furious reaction from Bloody Sunday families, who branded it "purely provocative".

Dissident republican groups also announced plans for a counter-protest and organisers said they were dropping their plan because they were concerned for the safety of marchers.

Now JFVUK has called on former soldiers to join a parade in Coleraine.

The group intends marching from the British Legion headquarters in the town to a wreath-laying ceremony at the Coleraine cenotaph.

Its claims that unfair emphasis is being placed on the actions of former soldiers in legacy investigations have been denied by the Director of Public Prosecutions Barra MacGrory and Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan.