Cowen: Findings will heal wounds

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has said the findings of the inquiry into the deaths of 14 people on Bloody Sunday had vindicated the victims and would help heal the wounds of that “immense tragedy”.

Flanked by Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach said the findings of the Saville report meant that “the truth has been set free” and that there was now no doubt that the victims of Bloody Sunday had been innocent people.

Paying tribute to the families and friends of those who died, he said: “Today is a day of vindication for them.

“There is no doubt, there are no ambiguities – in truth, there never were.”

Mr Cowen also spoke to Tony Doherty, whose father Paddy died on Bloody Sunday, and Michael McKinney, whose brother Willie was killed, to pass on the Government’s sentiments.

Other family representatives will meet Mr Cowen at 5pm today to discuss the report.

President Mary McAleese and members of the Oireachtas also welcomed the findings, with the President stating that she hoped the Saville report would now provide some consolation for the families of the victims.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the victims had been cleared of any wrongdoing and he paid tribute to the efforts of their families in instigating the Saville Inquiry.

The Taoiseach echoed the key words of the report in describing the “unjustified and unjustifiable killing” of people during the planned peace march that day in 1972.

“It was an act of murder that cried out for justice and truth,” Mr Cowen said, before adding that the search for truth had been cast aside by the “discredited and disgraceful findings” of the original Widgery report, which he said was a whitewash and “a shameful attempt to distort history”.

Mr Cowen said the Saville report and the precedinginquiry had been “a necessary step” and would help to heal the gaping wound caused by the events of Bloody Sunday.

He also praised the “honest and brave” words uttered earlier by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who said he was “deeply sorry” over the events of Bloody Sunday.

Remarking that members of the families of the victims had yesterday marched along the original route planned for January 30, 1972, Mr Cowen said: “It is a short distance from the Bogside to the Guild Hall, but that journey that was completed today took 38 years.”

He said Bloody Sunday had been a turning point in the Troubles, which had led to an upsurge in violence and thereby resulting in “an immense tragedy” for the whole island.

“Violence from whatever quarter is never justified – not then and not now,” he said.

President McAleese said: “For those who survived, for the bereaved and for the people of Derry, today is a deeply sensitive and distressing day, as well as being a poignant time for all those who were victims or lost loved ones in the Troubles.

“It is also a momentous day for the survivors and families of Bloody Sunday as they have pursued their campaign for justice and truth for over 38 years and have done so with resolute and dignified determination.”

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said: “Crucially, the conclusions of the Saville Inquiry clearly lay responsibility for firing the first shot with the British Army.

“It also finds that some of the British solders involved lost control as a result of an order to shoot, which never should have been given.

“The apology given by the British government for the behaviour of the British armed forces is also significant and is to be welcomed.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement also gave the report a broad welcome.

Chairman Deputy Noel Treacy said: “Its findings, along with the unequivocal apology made by British Prime Minister David Cameron in the House of Commons today, should provide some relief to those families.”