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Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has expressed his dismay over the government’s expenditure of over £4 million on the defence of Soldier F, calling it “sickening.” Soldier F, a former paratrooper whose identity remains protected, was recently acquitted of two murders and five charges of attempted murder on Bloody Sunday in 1972 in Londonderry. Eastwood uncovered the staggering legal fees and anticipates that the final amount will soar even higher as more bills are tallied.
The events of Bloody Sunday on January 30, 1972, saw thirteen people fatally shot and at least 15 others injured during a civil rights demonstration in Londonderry’s Bogside area. Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie defended the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) contribution to Soldier F’s legal defence, asserting that it was necessary to support an employee. In contrast, Eastwood highlighted the lack of financial assistance extended to the families of the victims during the trial, emphasizing the disparity in support provided.
Eastwood firmly believed that Soldier F was not entitled to such extensive public funding, particularly since the soldier allegedly perjured himself during the Saville Inquiry. The independent public inquiry was established to examine the occurrences of Bloody Sunday. Veterans minister Alistair Carns justified the costs associated with Soldier F’s defence, stating that the MoD is dedicated to assisting veterans and had provided legal and welfare support throughout the legal proceedings.
The families of the victims reacted with outrage to the news of the substantial £4.3 million spent on the defence of Soldier F. Mickey McKinney, who lost his brother William during Bloody Sunday, remarked that the expenditure contradicted former Prime Minister David Cameron’s apology and was deeply hurtful to the families. Tony Doherty, whose father was also killed during the tragic events, echoed McKinney’s sentiments, condemning the allocation of public funds for the defence. Ulster Unionist Party MLA Beattie viewed the situation as a lamentable misuse of taxpayers’ money, attributing the primary beneficiaries to be the legal representatives involved
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