'Bloody Sunday' Saville Report - All those killed were innocent.

[afleitch]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/10320609.stm

All those killed on Bloody Sunday were innocent, the Saville Report has ruled.

Thirteen marchers were shot dead on 30 January 1972 in Londonderry when British paratroopers opened fire on crowds at a civil rights demonstration.

Fourteen others were wounded, one of whom later died.

A huge cheer erupted in Guildhall Square in Derry as Prime Minister David Cameron delivered the findings which unequivocally blamed the Army. The report said that the Army fired the first shot of the day in one of the most controversial state killings in the Northern Ireland conflict.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Cameron said what happened on Bloody Sunday was unjustifiable and wrong. He said his government and the country were "deeply sorry".


Mr Cameron said:

-No warning had been given to any civilians before the soldiers opened fire.
-None of the soldiers fired in response to attacks by petrol bombers or stone throwers Some of those killed or injured were clearly fleeing or going to help those injured or dying None of the casualties was posing a threat .... or doing anything that would justify their shooting
-There was no point in trying to soften or equivocate - the events of Bloody Sunday were not justified
-Many of the soldiers lied about their actions
-What happened should never, ever have happened
-Some members of the British armed forces acted wrongly
-On behalf of the government and the country, he said he was "deeply sorry".

[Јas]

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Indeed.

[Јas]

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[Filuwaúrdjan]

Finally.

I note that the DUP MPs engaged in some genuinely impressive bouts of whataboutery in the Commons.

[afleitch]

Finally.

I note that the DUP MPs engaged in some genuinely impressive bouts of whataboutery in the Commons.

Cameron's performance (and his dealings with his own backbencher) was I feel, spot on.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Finally.

I note that the DUP MPs engaged in some genuinely impressive bouts of whataboutery in the Commons.

Cameron's performance (and his dealings with his own backbencher) was I feel, spot on.

He stood up to the ex-military types in the Tory backbenchers better than I thought he would, yeah. With the exception of the delightful contributions from the DUP, one of the least partisan sessions (by far) in a parliament already characterised by unusual levels of partisanship.

[Јas]

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- Full Statement by the Taoiseach

[Јas]

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- PPSNI Press Release

[patrick1]

It is unfortunate that it took so long and cost so much money to arrive at the report and its acceptance of blame. However, I commend the British government for persisting, gathering the facts, and putting forth the apology. Bloody Sunday was really a tragic day for not only the victims and their family but everyone involved in Northern Ireland.  The violence spiraled further out of control and led both communities toward unspeakable and cruel acts.    An eye for an eye mentality made everyone blind.  While hardly comparable in scale- I pray that those in the Middle East would be able to learn some lessons from this tragic chapter and work toward a peaceful resolution in their conflict.