Danny Kinahan MLA was a serving member of the Household Cavalry when he was best man at Lt. Anthony Daly`s Wedding in 1982. Four weeks later Lt Daly was one of four soldiers murdered by the IRA. Danny commanded Anthony`s burial party. Here Danny gives his reaction to the news that a man has been charged with his comrades` murders.
Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan has described comments by Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly following the news that a Donegal man has been charged in connection with the 1982 Hyde Park bomb, as demonstrating a complete lack of understanding of the concept of the rule of law.
The South Antrim MLA said;
“One of the most fundamental principles of a democracy is the need to support the rule of law. As part of that, the Police must be entitled to follow the evidence wherever it may lead, to charge people and bring them before the Courts regardless of who their friends are or what their political opinions may be.
For Gerry Kelly to describe the arrest of John Downey in connection with the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing as “vindictive” demonstrates just how far some members of Sinn Fein clearly have to travel to grasp how law and order really works.
On the 20th July 1982, the Hyde Park bombing took the lives of four soldiers in the Household Cavalry, a Regiment of which I was a member in 1982. One of those murdered that day was Lieutenant Anthony Daly who was married just four weeks previously. I remember that because I was his best man, and shortly after his murder I commanded his burial party.
Whether or not John Downey is, as Gerry Kelly says, “a long-time supporter of the peace process” is irrelevant. It may be politically inconvenient or embarrassing for Sinn Fein when certain individuals are arrested and/or charged with offences, but that does not mean that Justice should be prevented from being done.
The entire community is, and must be, subject to the rule of law. It is irrelevant whether or not they are members of Sinn Fein or any other political party, whether they are supporters of the peace process or opponents of it.
Justice must be done. It is the least that Anthony Daly, Simon Tipper, Vernon Young and Raymond Bright deserve.