A single former British soldier will stand trial for murder in connection with the killing in 1972 of 13 peaceful marchers in one of the most notorious incidents of 30 years of civil strife on the island of Ireland.
The former paratrooper — named only as Soldier F — will be charged with two murders and four counts of attempted murder 47 years on from the killings in the Northern Irish city of Londonderry that became known as Bloody Sunday.
Prosecutors found insufficient evidence to charge another 16 soldiers who were investigated for opening fire on a peaceful crowd marching in protest against British policies in Northern Ireland.
Families said they were disappointed by the decision to charge only one soldier and vowed to fight on. They also pledged to challenge the ruling that gave Soldier F anonymity.
The shootings helped to galvanise support for the Irish Republican Army, which fought a three-decade armed struggle for a united Ireland independent from Great Britain. More than 3,500 people died in what became known as The Troubles.
Soldier F was accused of the murder of amateur filmmaker William McKinney who was shot in the back after recording scenes of the march. He was also charged with murdering James Wray, 22, who was shot twice in the back, according to an inquiry report.
Some relatives — who marched through the city to a hotel where they learnt the news — were visibly upset that only one soldier was charged over the shooting. John Kelly, whose brother Michael, 17, was killed, said that many had received a “terrible disappointment” but welcomed the news for the six families.
“Their victory is our victory," he said. “We have walked a long journey since our fathers and brothers were brutally slaughtered on the streets of Derry on Bloody Sunday … we are here to take their place.”
Britain’s defence minister Gavin Williamson said the government will provide full legal support to the soldier who was charged.
“The welfare of our former service personnel is of the utmost importance and we will offer full legal and pastoral support to the individual affected,” he said in a statement.
Police launched the murder investigation after a 12-year inquiry report published in 2010 criticised soldiers and refuted claims that some of the marchers had been armed and attacked troops.
Prosecutors received the file in 2016 containing some 125,000 pages of material against 18 British army veterans who were mostly in their 60s and 70s. One of them died last year.
“I wish to clearly state that where a decision has been reached not to prosecute, that this is in no way diminishes any finding by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that those killed or injured were not posing a threat to any of the soldiers,” said the director of public prosecutions in Northern Ireland, Stephen Herron.
Before the charges were laid, the officer in charge of the troops on the day, Lt Col Derek Wilford, 86, told The Daily Telegraph that the thought of prosecutions "makes me feel very angry". "One loses sight of how it was," he said.
Mark Saville, the judge who led the £200 million (Dh974 million) inquiry, concluded that some of the soldiers lost their self-control, ignored instructions and then lied about what happened to justify the shootings. Prosecutors said a later decision would be made on whether anyone should be prosecuted for lying to the Saville inquiry.
Then British prime minister David Cameron responded to the report in 2010 by apologising for the shootings, which he described as “unjustified and unjustifiable. It was wrong.”
Lord Saville’s findings overturned the assertions of an original report into Bloody Sunday from 1972 that had claimed some of those shot by paratroopers were bombers and gunmen. That finding had enraged the families of the victims and acted as a powerful recruiting tool for the IRA.
A peace deal that ended the violence in Northern Ireland was not agreed to until 1998 under the government of Tony Blair.
The peace has held but tensions have been stoked amid wrangling over Brexit and the implications for Northern Ireland.
News of the charges came a week after a group calling itself the IRA claimed responsibility for a series of letter bombs sent to a university and transport hubs. Nobody was convicted over a similar campaign in 2014.
Politicians had been divided over whether soldiers should be prosecuted decades after the event.
"If it is in the public interest to suspend prosecutions and release terrorists early from prison, it cannot be in the public interest after nearly half a century to prosecute these people," Richard Benyon, a ruling party MP and former British army officer, told The Times.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Freezer tips
- Always make sure food is completely cool before freezing.
- If you’re cooking in large batches, divide into either family-sized or individual portions to freeze.
- Ensure the food is well wrapped in foil or cling film. Even better, store in fully sealable, labelled containers or zip-lock freezer bags.
- The easiest and safest way to defrost items such as the stews and sauces mentioned is to do so in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
