Downey cancels homecoming saying he 'would never try to insult' bereaved

The former Hyde Park bomb suspect John Downey has decided to cancel the homecoming party that was planned for tonight because he did not want it "to be misrepresented".

Up to 500 people were expected to attend the event in Co Donegal to allow him to thank those who supported him throughout his arrest and imprisonment in England.

He was imprisoned for the last nine months while awaiting trial in England.

The Sinn Féin member said in a statement that "he would never try to insult or add to the hurt of anyone who is bereaved as has been suggested in the media" and that "he will not allow the event to be turned into a media circus".

Speaking this morning Mr Downey said: "Some elements of the media are portraying the event planned for tonight as triumphalist and insulting to bereaved families. That was never what it was about."

Mr Downey denied any involvement in the Hyde Park bomb.

His trial for the IRA attack, which spectacularly collapsed in London during the week, sparked near chaos in Downing Street and Northern Ireland’s devolved government.

A judge ruled he could not stand trial as he had been given assurances by the PSNI he was not wanted for questioning or prosecution in the United Kingdom despite the Met police holding a warrant for his arrest.

The case saw the release of details a deal the last Labour government struck with Sinn Féin that saw more than 180 individuals issued with letters making clear they could return to the UK because the authorities were not seeking them.

The British Government has been challenged to immediately stop consideration of five active cases involving on-the-run IRA terror suspects.

Mr Downey said: "On the contrary, since long before the Good Friday Agreement I have been working to promote peace and reconciliation between our people on this island, meeting with members of Loyalism and Unionism in trying to put the past behind us and move into the future in peace together.

"My goal is, as it always was, a united Ireland where everybody is equal. I would never try to insult or add to the hurt of anybody who is bereaved as I am only too aware of their pain as there are many bereaved families also in the republican community.

"I refuse to allow what was planned as a simple get together of family, friends and neighbours who supported me throughout my wrongful arrest and imprisonment in England to welcome me home and allow me to thank them, to be misrepresented and turned into a media circus,

"For this reason I have decided to cancel the homecoming get together planned for the Lagoon tonight and I know that my friends and neighbours will understand."