Bloody Sunday Families To Challenge Decision Not To Prosecute Veterans

The families of five men shot by soldiers in Londonderry in 1972 are to legally challenge a decision not to prosecute former soldiers.

Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced in 2019 that one veteran, known as Soldier F, would face charges.

The families of Jackie Duddy, Michael Kelly, John Young, Michael McDaid and William McKinney were granted permission by the High Court to challenge the decision not to prosecute other former members of the Parachute Regiment.

The decision of the PPS in March 2019 to bring charges against no more than one soldier was subject to an internal review requested by the families of some of those killed on 30 January 1972.

In September 2020, the PPS upheld its original decision.

The judicial review challenge has been listed for hearing for five days beginning on 20 September.

Thirteen civilians were killed, with 15 others shot and injured, on 30 January 1972 when soldiers from the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a civil rights demonstration, in an incident which became known as Bloody Sunday.