Witnesses who gave evidence to the Saville Inquiry have been urged to co-operate with a police murder investigation into the 1972 massacre.
Speaking at a memorial service to mark the 42nd anniversary of the killings earlier today, John Kelly, whose brother Michael was one of the 14 people shot dead by British paratroopers on 30 January 1972, said those giving evidence would be playing their part in ‘bringing the killers to justice.”
Mr Kelly was speaking shortly after the PSNI announced detectives from its Serious Crime Branch investigating the killings were to begin re-interviewing witnesses who gave evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.
Police have appealed to over 1,000 civilians and former solders to contact the investigation team on 028 9025 9593 or by email to [email protected]
A series of notices will also be placed in local newspapers and other publications to encourage witnesses to come forward again.
Speaking at the memorial service at the Bloody Sunday monument in Rossville Street, Mr Kelly said: “Bloody Sunday was a crime against humanity – it was cold blooded murder of unarmed civilians. But it was never treated as the murder it was.
“The British Government lied about what happened, covered up the truth, blocked any proper investigation and treated our loved ones as somehow lesser people than others who had been killed.
John Kelly at today’s memorial service.
“But now it must be treated as it waa – as murder. Almost four years after the release of the Saville Report, our third demand from our campaign for justice is finally being addressed by the first ever murder investigation into Bloody Sunday – and let no one think we will ever drop that demand or compromise on it – we will pursue it until we are satisficed that ti has been properly addessed.
“Each family has the right to their own definition of what is or will be justice for them. However, for some it has already been achieved but for many of us, justice means seeing the killers of our loved ones in court.
“We have had a public apology from the British Prime Minister. but an apology is meaningless without justice.
“We continue to demand that those responsible for this invesgitation do so with the outmost vigour and use the full powers available to them to ensure that all those who should face justice finally do so.
“There should be no hiding place for those who came on to our streets and shot our loved ones dead.
“The time has come for them to answer for their actions in a court of law and we will do everything in our power to ensure that they do.
Observing a minute’s silence at today’s memorial service.
“Just because a person wears a British Army uniform should not mean they are immune from prosuectuon.
“We want to see the Paras in the dock facing prosecution for the murders on Bloody Sunday and for the crimes they committed afterwards when they lied under oath for their actions.
“We look forward to seeing the British Government being called to account for all the crimes it has committed here in Ireland over over these past decades.
“We are continuing to meet with those responsible for the investigation and we will keep the pressure on them to ensure they keep their promises.
“There is no doubt that we face another long road ahead during this investigation but if we succeed it will be worth it.”
Mr Kelly concluded: “We will ask once again ask for the help of the people of Derry in this. Some of you will be asked to give statements to help us and we ask that you do so – you can play your part in bringing these killers to justice. We know we will get your support as we have always done.”
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