Northern Ireland

18 former soldiers being investigated over Bloody Sunday

Thirteen people were shot dead by British soldiers on Bloody Sunday. A fourteenth man later died from the injuries he sustained.
Thirteen people were shot dead by British soldiers on Bloody Sunday. A fourteenth man later died from the injuries he sustained. Thirteen people were shot dead by British soldiers on Bloody Sunday. A fourteenth man later died from the injuries he sustained.

THE Public Prosecution Service has told the Bloody Sunday families that 18 of the British soldiers present on the day are being investigated.

Relatives also learned at a meeting that it would be late summer before it could say when a decision would be taken on whether prosecutions will be brought.

Thirteen people were shot dead at the 1972 anti-internment march, with a fourteenth, John Johnston, dying later from wounds he sustained on the day.

It is understood a wide range of charges are being considered by the PPS after police investigated Bloody Sunday on the back of the Saville Inquiry, which found that the killings were unjustified and unjustifiable.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael (17) was among those killed, said the meeting with the PPS had been very useful.

“I know Derry people are frustrated at the time it is taking for the PPS to decide whether or not any of the soldiers will be prosecuted. But it’s important that the law now takes its course and that this is done right,” he said.