Orangeman recognises 'tenacity' of Bloody Sunday campaigners

A senior Orange Order member today spoke of his appreciation of the “tenacity” of Bloody Sunday campaigners after the release of the Saville Inquiry report.

Belfast County Grand Master Tom Haire addressed supporters in Scotland where he devoted much of his speech to fresh calls for unionist politicians to unite against Sinn Féin.

But he also spoke about the release of the Saville report, which exonerated the 14 civil rights marchers who died after being shot by British paratroopers in Derry in 1972, with the report ruling that the killings were without justification.

Mr Haire highlighted the near £200m (€243.5m) cost of the Saville probe and said other notorious episodes from the Troubles should be investigated.

But he added: “We, as loyalists, must appreciate the tenacity of the Bogsiders in pursuing their aims and learn from them that 38 years is never too long to pursue an inquiry.

“Like them we must be more persistent and increase the heat to achieve our objectives within the law, and keep in the running until satisfactory action is achieved.”

The Orangeman added: “I consider after 38 years of hearing about Bloody Sunday it’s time to draw a line and move on in the interests of peace in my province.

“There should be no prosecutions and this includes private actions and let everyone move on with their lives.”

He said that more than 50 paratroopers died in the North during the Troubles.

Mr Haire added: “Many more members of the armed forces, including Scotland, also paid the supreme sacrifice in Ulster and it is still our duty to uphold, support and encourage them as they continue their peacekeeping duties in other theatres of conflict.

“It has to be remembered there have been other violent incidents carried out by terrorists that have been airbrushed from the scene and pale into insignificance by the establishment.

“Incidents such as the bombings in Oxford Street Bus Station, the Abercorn, La Mon, Narrow Water, Enniskillen, Shankill Road and Omagh.”

He added: “You could go on, the list is endless. Sufficient to say over 3,600 lost their lives due to the Troubles but no inquiries have even been considered in any effort to bring resolution and comfort to those bereaved or injured.”