The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has welcomed today’s High Court ruling that John Downey was an ‘active participant’ in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.
Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“Today has brought vindication and a small degree of justice for the families of the four members of the Blues & Royals murdered in Hyde Park on 20th July 1982.
“There was a great deal of dismay in February 2014 when a criminal case against John Downey collapsed because he was in possession of an ‘On The Run’ letter.
“Today, thanks to the perseverance of the victims’ families and their legal team, in a civil case, a court of law has found that Downey was an ‘active participant’ in that IRA bombing and the way is now clear for a damages claim to be made against him.
“I pass my congratulations to the families and their legal team and hope that they can now find a degree of closure with this verdict.
“Very serious consideration should now be given to commencing similar legal action in connection with the Regent’s Park bombing which took place a few hours later the same day, and killed six members of the band of the Royal Greenjackets.”