Britain ‘profoundly sorry’ victims were denied justice

NORTHERN Ireland secretary Owen Paterson said the British Government was “profoundly sorry” that the victims of the 1972 Claudy bombing and their families had been denied justice.

The attack was a terrible atrocity carried out by terrorists during the bloodiest year of the Troubles, said Mr Paterson.

He said he absolutely condemned the actions of the terrorists, saying it was a despicable and evil act carried out by despicable and evil people.

“My anger at the actions of those responsible for the attack is matched in strength by my sorrow that the survivors of the atrocity and the relatives of the dead did not see those responsible brought to justice for their crimes. I recognise, of course, that all those involved in combating terrorism at the time were making decisions in exceptionally difficult circumstances and under extreme pressure.”

The Claudy bombing took place during a month which also witnessed the end of a temporary IRA ceasefire, the Bloody Friday bombings, Operation Motorman and widespread civil disorder and violence.

Nearly 100 people died in July 1972, making it the most violent month in the most violent year of the Troubles.

Sinn Féin said the only way to fully establish what happened would be through an independent international truth commission. Francie Molloy said the deaths at Claudy were wrong and should not have happened.

East Derry DUP MP Gregory Campbell said it was now clear the Church, state and the police were involved in the cover-up.

“It makes for pretty horrific reading. Claudy became the forgotten atrocity and now we know why.”

Mr Campbell also challenged Martin McGuinness to reveal what he knew.