The Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, second proper, lays a floral tribute at a memorial to victims of Bloody Sunday throughout a march to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the 'Bloody Sunday' shootings in Londonderry, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. (AP Photograph/Peter Morrison)
LONDON --
A whole bunch of individuals gathered Sunday in Northern Eire to mark 50 years since "Bloody Sunday," one of many deadliest days within the battle referred to as The Troubles.
13 individuals had been killed and 15 others wounded when British troopers fired on civil rights protesters on Jan. 30, 1972, within the metropolis of Derry, often known as Londonderry.
Family of these killed and injured half a century in the past took half in a remembrance stroll Sunday, retracing the steps of the unique march. Crowds gathered on the Bloody Sunday Monument, the place political leaders together with Irish Premier Micheal Martin laid wreaths in a ceremony.
The names of those that had been killed and wounded had been learn out through the 45-minute memorial service.
Britain's authorities apologized in 2010 after an official inquiry discovered that the troopers fired with out justification on unarmed, fleeing civilians after which lied about it for many years. The report refuted an preliminary investigation that came about quickly after the slayings that mentioned the troopers had been defending themselves in opposition to Irish Republican Military bombers and gunmen.
U.Ok. Prime Minister Boris Johnson instructed Parliament on Wednesday that Bloody Sunday was "one of many darkest days in our historical past" and that the nation "should be taught from the previous."
One former British soldier was charged in 2019 within the killing of two of the protesters and the damage of 4 others. However prosecutors determined final yr to not proceed with the case as a result of there was not a prospect of conviction. Households of one of many victims have introduced a authorized problem in opposition to that call.
Martin, the Irish chief, mentioned Sunday that there must be full accountability in all legacy points.
"I do not imagine this will likely be any amnesty for anyone," he mentioned after assembly with the households of victims. "It will be important as a result of time is transferring on too for a lot of, many households and households want closure."
Michael McKinney, whose brother William was among the many victims, criticized the British authorities's plans to make it more durable to prosecute navy veterans for alleged offenses dedicated years earlier.
"They're attempting to disclaim us justice as a result of they're scared to face justice. However we wish to ship a really clear warning to the British authorities. In the event that they pursue their proposals, the Bloody Sunday households will likely be prepared to fulfill them head on," McKinney mentioned.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins is predicted to ship a message to the affected households later Sunday.
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