It’s time we heard from Lord Saville

THE Bloody Sunday inquiry was set up in January 1998. It began formal hearing in March 2000 and continued for more than four years. It finally finished up in Derry in November 2004, with the report due out, according to press reports at the time, the following summer.

That was two years ago. What has happened to Saville’s report? Despite the impressive statistics (921 witnesses heard and 1,555 statements taken), I do not believe this delay is justified. Most of these statements would have been taken early in the proceedings and very many of them would have said more or less the same thing.

Therefore, the vast amount of material must have been read and analysed years ago.

A statement on the inquiry website, dated August 16, 2005, says “the report is currently in preparation. It has been necessary for the tribunal to look at a very large quantity of material so that it is not possible at this stage to give any firm estimate of when the report is likely to be finished”.

Come on Lord Saville, it’s time.

Mark P Dillon

Laan van nieuw oost indie 4

Den Haag

The Netherlands