No Bloody Sunday anonymity - a major victory for families
By Ned Kelly
Relatives of the 14 people shot dead by British paratroopers on
Bloody Sunday have hailed as a major victory the latest ruling by the
Saville Inquiry into the massacre. Late on Friday night, 7 May,
Saville ruled that no British soldiers or RUC members on duty on 30
January 1972 would be granted anonymity.
Greg McCartney, representing the family of Jim Wray, said that his
clients would have been seriously worried had anonymity been granted
that the inquiry would fail to establish the truth. However, Saville
has also agreed that he will consider individual applications for
anonymity.
It was also disclosed that three RUC men will have their names
published, including one who is presently serving with the Special
Branch. However, they will be allowed to give evidence from behind
screens.
The inquiry also ruled that BBC journalist Peter Taylor hand over his
Bloody Sunday research material by 17 May to the new Inquiry,
excluding the identification of his sources, which awaits a further
ruling. An Inquiry spokesperson said the Tribunal intended postponing
its ruling on source material until it received all the ``informative
material''. The BBC, in response, said that it intended handing over
material which did not identify sources.
Approximately £250,000 is needed for the new Bloody Sunday Campaign
headquarters.
The money is needed for the conversion and upkeep of a city-centre
building donated by the businessman Garvan O'Doherty that will serve
as a focus for the Bloody Sunday families, their legal team, the
Cúnamh project and support workers for the duration of the Saville
Inquiry.
The building, at the bottom of Shipquay Street, is only 50 yards from
Derry's Guildhall, where the hearings will take place in September.
John Kelly, whose brother was shot dead on Bloody Sunday, and who is
now a family liaison worker with Cúnamh, explained that the cost
associated with the campaign, such as equipment and staff have so far
been the responsibility of the families of the dead and wounded and
the local campaign. However, the cost estimated to support the
campaign for the next two years will be in excess of £250,000.
Kelly said: ``The building at present requires extensive work to get
it ready for the inquiry and we are appealing to all our supporters
both at home and abroad for support in this project.''
Mickey McKinney, who has also been appointed family liaison worker,
added: ``We intend for this to become the focal point for the Derry
community, the local and international media and everyone interested
in pursuing the truth for the duration of the Inquiry''.
Donations can be made to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry Family Fund Bank
of Ireland, Strand Road, Derry City, sort code 90-49-74, account
number 47644065.
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