Bloody Sunday tribunal a waste of money, says police chief
With eventual costs estimated to be £155 million, relatives of some of the people shot dead in Derry in January, 1972, demanded an apology. Mr Orde was quoted in yesterday's Financial Times saying: "Apart from making lawyers millionaires, will it satisfy the families? I don't think so."
The tribunal, which is due to resume in London next week, has already met for almost 300 days, but it will be the middle of next year at the earliest before Lord Saville is due to complete his report into the shootings which left 13 people dead. A 14th victim died later. Mickey McKinney, 51, whose brother William was killed said: "Once this tribunal begins getting the truth and I think it is getting at some of it the only battering ram the critics have is the costs.
"I'm astonished he should make those remarks. He obviously doesn't understand the relatives' feelings and how much it matters to them in determining the truth and our request for a declaration of innocence for all our people."
John Kelly, 54, whose brother Michael also died, said he was furious with the chief constable.
"The costs for the search for justice and truth should be immaterial. Does this mean that every time a case comes before the courts, it is a waste of time and money? Has Hugh Orde joined the unionists who are the only people who criticise this inquiry? I think he owes us an apology."
A police spokesman was unavailable for comment. Mr Orde told the FT: "Apart from making lawyers millionaires, will it satisfy the families? I don't think so. Will it satisfy the public? They've given up with it. The army? Sinn Féin? Does anyone come out of it winning? It must be heading for £200m. That's two police colleges."
