Former Paras prosecuted for Murder in 1974
 

In the press today - former paratroopers to be prosecuted for murder of Joe McCann in 1974. WTF??

On the one hand, the piece of dog-excrement that is Bliar managed to include amnesties between the Labour Government and Sinn Fein - effectively protecting 200 terrorists from prosecution. A number of convicted terrorists in prison were also pardoned and released.

On the other hand, long-retired Servicemen are now being investigated and charged with murder for events that happened decades ago.

Beggars belief. I would never have given 22 years to the Crown knowing what I do now. This Country is corrupt to the core - nobody in their right mind should serve in the military.

The law is the law - you can't pick or choose

They've just done a guy 101 years old for sex crimes in the 70's

Presumably they think they have enough evidence to stand up in court - it has to be tough after so long but just because you serve in the Armed Forces doesn't mean you can get away with murder..................... or anything else

I'm inclined to agree with you Heathrow, but by the same token 'what's good for the Goose, is good for the Gander' and if amnesties are being handed out as they are to the IRA then they should be handed out to all parties or none.

And as no military aircraft, aircrew or backroom staff have any involvement in this, surely this subject does not live in this forum! Oh, Conservative government has also been in charge of the country for 6 1/2 years. Blame them.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn has appointed Jayne Fisher, Sinn Feins London head, as an aide.
She has very close links to convicted IRA murderers and terrorists.

More good men put through hell to appease who, terrorists who were happy to murder their own people purely based on their religious affiliations ?

I'm sure that dredging up prosecutions against old soldiers will help the healing process though :hmm:

1, The Paras, by definition , have a very close connection with the RAF.

2, It is the independent Attorney General for Northern Ireland who is leading this, a post created by Labour.

"My responsibilities and role are exercised independently of any other persons."

John Larkin QC
Attorney General for Northern Ireland

In the context of this thread, one has to ask, how many people would not have given xx years to the Crown if they knew that what they might do would be found out and subjected to the law.
Can't argue with the last bit, although I'm not sure about the implication of the first bit that subjecting military behaviour in a civil war to the law is evidence of corruption.

"The law has to be seen to be done."
"The law is an ass."

Law has to be interpreted, "is this in the public interest".

But whom interprets?

How can a guy being done for sex crimes be compared with a man serving his country and protecting local civilians from the cowards of the IRA and other paramilitaries?


From the BBC report:



So they think they have enough evidence without even being able to speak to pólice officers who were present at the scene? All they have is a 40 year old report written by these guys who now can´t be identified?
Meanwhile gangs of these murdering cowards are walking the streets of N.I. totally free.

Just by way of a clarification. Joe McCann was a member of the Official IRA, not the Provisional IRA, and as such is unlikely to have had links with Sinn Féin. The OIRA enacted a ceasefire in 1972.

Even more than their more militarily active brethren in the Provo's, the OIRA where even more Marxist than the larger group.

Both groups along with their political wings are intent on turning Ireland into Cuba, just without the sunshine.

Joe McCann: Official IRA leader had sought a socialist Ireland

JAS

HH
The law isnt always the law and politicians DO pick and choose.
That is why a whole bunch of criminals who murdered civilians, police and soldiers often in front of their children were given lifetime 'get out of jail free' pardons by the UK government, while these two servicemen who have already been through TWO inquieries are now going to have a third ordeal!

Witch hunt, I fear they won't be getting anything near a fair trial.

This article in the Belfast Telegraph doesn't exactly describe McCann as the nice average neighbour you would want living within 50 miles of your house, and goes on to say he was regarded by the security forces as a dangerous terrorist.

It would be nice to see a similar effort and financial input being put into bringing the scum to trial who spent their time murdering innocent men, women, kids etc with car bombs, letter bombs, drive by shootings, a shotgun fired through the letter box, petrol bomb through the living room window etc. Not to forget the kneecapping and 1001 new ways to f*k up someone with a black n decker that they worked out.

A conviction and long jail term would be even nicer although that would be wishful thinking.

I think ARRSE may be slightly more vocal and less reserved in their feelings on the matter...

Its a difficult one but a simple question............

If you do something as a civilian should the law be different because you put on a Uniform.

No but it would appear to be so when it suits some politicians:yuk:

Much that it sticks in my throat, I suspect one of the issues is that the soldiers were meant to be an arm of the law. if they acted outside the (very clear?) directions they had, then there is an argument that they should be punished.

Northern Ireland continues to be a funny place that no one really wants to take under their wing. Nothing much has changed in my 30+ years of kicking around The Village. :(

Yes. Army personnel are not police officers.
The pollies knew this when they deployed them.

Pollies are always pollies; even the great WSC sought to distance himself from Bomber Command. Probably the most disgraceful thing he did in his life.

Why are they being prosecuted now, what is it 42 years or 44 after the event?
People are rightly concerned that IRA and UVF have been convicted for murder but freed on license under the terms of the GFA. Bringing new prosecutions just doesn't make sense really, anymore.
We should be drawing a line under this; all this will bring is a reopening of old bitter memories for everyone.
In the UK we seem to be in cycle now of constantly investigating and prosecuting only Other Ranks to dates and actions selected in a most curious manner. But conversely Officers even at low level seem to be avoiding prosecution. No Senior officers ever seem to be prosecuted for the alleged actions of their men. That's the impression I take from the press. It must be having a deeply corrosive effect.
All of this will be massively damaging to execution of future operations, in fact it is utterly disastrous.
We aint arf making blunder after blunder these days.
I wouldn't join now, and if I was in would be actively seeking a way out. Make one mistake, or even be traced to be seen to have served in theatre in the future could lead to years of uncertainty.
I expect bomber pilots now, UAV operators now will be held up to account for their actions in many of the places they have bombed in the years ahead, mark my words well. You will be tossed aside when you have served you masters, its the British way.

The Good Friday agreement granted absolution to the Nationalists convicted or suspected of atrocities in a craven abrogation of the law. Such an amnesty should also be afforded to those attempting to maintain a ceasefire between the factions in Northern Ireland

I saw what you did there, Harry.