PSNI agrees "Bloody Sunday" Investigation will include IRA activity
01 August 2012
In a letter to the TUV Leader Jim Allister, the Head of Serious Crime Branch has confirmed that the PSNI investigation into 'Bloody Sunday' will now include 'all criminal and terrorist activity' on 30 January 1972.
Following the controversial announcement of a special police investigation into the actions of the soldiers, Jim Allister and some other unionists demanded that any investigation must include the activities of the IRA, and specifically those of Martin McGuinness, whom Saville found was probably carrying a submachine gun.
Commenting on Detective Chief Supt Hanley's letter Jim Allister said,"While I welcome the confirmation that IRA activity on 30 January 1972 will be included in any police investigation, I will be watching to see if the pursuit of republicans is rigorous and not mere tokenism. The litmus test will be how far McGuinness is pursued. On the basis of Saville's findings McGuinness' hitherto protected status must be swept aside and the searchlight of truth and justice shone into his activities as IRA commander. Otherwise this investigation will be an expensive farce.
"How could the outcome bear any credibility if it lands soldiers in court while terrorists walk free. At least now the opportunity is there to pursue McGuinness and co, the real question which remains is whether there is the will?
"I am disappointed that the PSNI is refusing to include the murders of Con Montgomery and Sgt Gilgunn in their investigation. Murdered by a submachine gun just 3 days before Bloody Sunday, their killings form part of the matrix of that weekend's events and should be revisited. "
Note to Editors
Below is the text of Detective Chief Supt Hanley's letter:
Dear Sir,
I refer to your recent correspondence regarding the PSNI announcement of a murder investigation into the events of “Bloody Sunday” on 30th January 1972.
The budgetary and resource implications of this investigation are still under consideration and a total cost cannot be estimated at this time. However I can confirm that this will be a major investigation which could potentially last for up to 4 years. The investigation will cover all criminal and terrorist activity which occurred on 30th January 1972.
Just days before, on 27th January 1972, Constable David John Montgomery and Sergeant Peter Gilgunn were killed in Creggan Road, Londonderry, in a terrorist Ambush on their police vehicle. The murders of both these Officers has been reviewed by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET). This review has concluded and the families have been made aware of the HET findings. The investigation into the events of 30 January 1972 will not include the murders of Constable Montgomery and Sergeant Gilgunn.
Yours faithfully,
T Hanley
Detective Chief Superintendent, QPM
