Decision to investigate brave British troops over all killings in Northern Ireland’s 30 years of The Troubles branded ‘witch hunt’
Potentially more than 1,000 ex-servicemen, many now in their 60s or 70s, will be viewed as manslaughter or murder suspects in legal inquiry
ALL 302 killings by British troops during Northern Ireland’s 30 years of The Troubles are being investigated afresh, The Sun can reveal.
Possibly more than 1,000 ex-servicemen, many now in their 60s or 70s, will be viewed as manslaughter or murder suspects in a legal inquiry costing taxpayers tens of millions of pounds.
The decision to investigate again all killings by British troops was branded a “witch hunt” last night.
It came just weeks after PM Theresa May finally acted to limit lawyer-driven claims on Iraq veterans.
And it contrasts starkly with the treatment of Northern Ireland terrorists and suspects.
Some were given pardons following the 1998 Good Friday peace deal, while others were handed “letters of comfort” by Tony Blair promising they would never be prosecuted.
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Tory MP Johnny Mercer, a former Army officer who has battled against tank-chasing lawyers, said: “This is a brand new witch hunt, as well as total and complete betrayal by the Government of those who have done its bidding.
“If we could demonstrate in Government just some of the courage our Armed Forces have displayed over the years in Northern Ireland, the entire historical allegations money machine would end.”
Ulster unionist MP Ian Paisley Jnr warned: “The dam is about to burst on our heroes.”
The DUP MP for North Antrim dubbed the investigations “an abuse of individuals and their service on an industrial scale”.
And he added: “It’s a very bad day when soldiers are living in fear of the legal system while terrorists are sitting at home with their feet up.
“The Government must immediately stop the legal aid rip-off which fuels so much of this.”
Information passed to The Sun reveals 238 “fatal incidents” are being re-investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s newly created Legacy Investigations Branch.
They involve 302 deaths, most of them shootings. Many times several soldiers opened fire at once — meaning at least 500 ex-servicemen will be viewed as suspects, with the figure potentially spiraling into four figures.
Half of the 302 were IRA or loyalist terrorists, while the others were deemed tragic accidents such as civilians caught in crossfire.
Veterans in their 60s and 70s will be quizzed over incidents dating back as far as 1969. Some were previously cleared but will be investigated again.
The Sun has been told that senior Northern Ireland cops are also angry over the inquiry, expected to last years and cost tens of millions of pounds.
They fear dozens of officers will be taken away from crime fighting. One source said the force faces being “overwhelmed”.
The Sun understands the huge investigation was quietly nodded through by the PSNI’s chief constable under pressure from Sinn Fein politicians.
The decision followed a critical report by watchdog Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.
In a judgment that startled police bosses, the HMIC tore up a 40-year-old ruling. As a result it said soldiers should have no additional protection from manslaughter or murder prosecutions just because they were on duty at the time.
On top of the criminal probes, The Sun can also reveal Republican-linked law firms have helped force the reopening of 31 inquests into 57 killings by Army personnel.
They include the Loughgall Ambush in 1987, where the SAS shot dead eight IRA men attacking an RUC station.
A spokesman for Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire said: “Police investigations are always a matter for the PSNI, who act totally independently of Government.”
But he added: “While this Government firmly believes in upholding the rule of law, we are concerned that investigations into Northern Ireland’s past focus almost entirely on former police officers and soldiers.
“This is wrong, and does not reflect the fact that the overwhelming majority of those who served did so with great bravery and distinction.”
The outrage
EIGHTEEN British soldiers were killed by two IRA bombs in the Warrenpoint Massacre, the worst attack on our forces during the Troubles.
A huge explosive hidden in a lorry was detonated as an Army convoy drove past and a second blast was set off to cause more slaughter as units rushed to the scene in 1979.
Soldiers then returned fire on the terrorists and a civilian was later found dead.
The terrorists
THE deaths of convicted IRA terrorists and killers are believed to be among the hundreds set to be investigated.
SAS heroes and British soldiers were behind the deaths of some of the IRA’s most feared members at the height of the Troubles. They include the following men:
PATRICK Kelly, 39, was a commander of the Provisional IRA East Tyrone Brigade.
He led two attacks on RUC bases, including when two officers were killed in 1985.
He was among eight socalled “Loughgall Martyrs” killed by the SAS in May 1987.
JIM Lynagh’s fearsome reputation earned him the nickname “The Executioner”.
He was suspected, but never convicted, of assassinating Ulster Unionist Party speaker Sir Norman Stronge in 1981.
He was also killed in the Loughgall Ambush in 1987.
DESSIE Grew had served four jail terms for republican activities when he was killed by the SAS in 1990.
He was also wanted for murdering an RAF corporal and her baby.
SEAMUS McElwaine was an IRA commander aged 19.
He was convicted of one murder and linked to ten more. He escaped prison in 1983 but was killed by the SAS three years later.
PETER Cleary is said to have masterminded the 1976 Kingsmill Massacre.
He was arrested later for another killing but was shot dead as he tried to grab an SAS soldier’s rifle.