The fact that a man accused of four IRA murders will not be prosecuted is “extremely regrettable”, according to NI Conservatives’ spokesman, Mark Brotherston. He made his comments after the High Court ruled that the trial of John Downey, who was accused of bombing Hyde Park, in 1982, could not go ahead, because of an official assurance he received in 2007.
“This is a bad set of circumstances, which was brought about by a decision by the Labour Party and our thoughts are with the families of the four soldiers who were murdered in the Hyde Park attack”, Mark said. “The judge has found that prosecution is not possible, because of measures the Labour government introduced for so-called ‘on the runs’. The High Court’s interpretation is a blow for delivering justice to the victims of terror. It now needs to be clarified just how many other similar letters have been issued.”
“The Hyde Park bombing was a brutal and appalling crime and, of course, there are many other brutal and appalling crimes that took place during the Troubles, for which the perpetrators have not yet faced prosecution. It is important that the judgement is examined and the legality of Labour’s arrangement is tested, in order to ensure that, in the future, the chances of providing justice for the victims of terror are maximised and relatives do not have to revisit painful memories to no avail.”