Bloody Sunday paratrooper says he feels no guilt

steddyeddy

He also considers the day itself to be "a job well done" even though he acknowledges at least some of the victims were innocent. Is this British view of the troubles still completely at odds with our own?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47466460

This comes as karen bradley states that killing by soldiers are not crimes.

The sister of a man killed on Bloody Sunday has described a former soldier's comments on the shootings as "very cold and very brutal".

Thirteen people died on the day after troops opened fire in Londonderry in January 1972, and a 14th person died later from his injuries.

The former paratrooper told the BBC that he feels no guilt for what happened.

He said he still considers it a job well done.



The Saville Inquiry into the killings concluded that all the victims were innocent.

Speaking to the BBC's Peter Taylor, Sergeant 'O' said that Lord Saville was not there on the day and whilst he accepted that some of those who were killed were innocent he did not accept that all of the victims were innocent.

'Cold and brutal'
Kate Nash, whose 19-year-old brother William was shot dead described the soldier's comments as cold and as a lie.

"What a horrible lie to continue to stand by, even as you become an older person.

"Very cold and very brutal."

Eighteen ex-paratroopers have been reported to the PPS over the killings and the Bloody Sunday victims are currently waiting to hear if any will face charges.

Church on Tuesday

Well that particular 'soldier' should hang his head in shame.

lawred2

And with Karen Brady today stating that she doesn't consider killings by British security forces in NI to be crimes one would be lead to believe that there is definitely an element who still see little issue with British behavior in Ireland.

Callous individual expresses no remorse. Quelle surprise.

Edgware

steddyeddy wrote: »

He also considers the day itself to be "a job well done" even though he acknowledges at least some of the victims were innocent. Is this British view of the troubles still completely at odds with our own?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47466460

I have no doubt but plenty of our own "freedom fighters" haven't an ounce of remorse for Birmingham, Enniskillen, The Hanna Family massacre etc.
Dirtbirds are dirtbirds whatever flag they operate under

Harry Palmr

Sure let's hear from the Provos and see their level on the Remorse-o-meter.

lawred2

Edgware wrote: »

I have no doubt but plenty of our own "freedom fighters" haven't an ounce of remorse for Birmingham, Enniskillen, The Hanna Family massacre etc.
Dirtbirds are dirtbirds whatever flag they operate under

whataboutery didn't take too long

our 'dirtbirds' weren't operating on behalf of the Irish state though

orourkeda1977

Anyone surprised?

TheValeyard

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Sure let's hear from the Provos and see their level on the Remorse-o-meter.

Difference between illegal rebels forces and State sanctioned trained Killers.

Edgware

lawred2 wrote: »

whataboutery didn't take too long

our 'dirtbirds' weren't operating on behalf of the Irish state though

They claimed they were operating on behalf of the people.

Junkyard Tom

Two instances of whataboutery in less than 6 posts. Is that a record?

FrancieBrady

lawred2 wrote: »

And with Karen Brady today stating that she doesn't consider killings by British security forces in NI to be crimes one would be lead to believe that there is definitely an element who still see little issue with British behavior in Ireland.

There are a few in our own country who still think that all the oppression, butchering and collusion with their planted friends was for our own good, benefit and betterment - 'look at all the lovely buildings they left us'

'Bombing people into the acceptance of their gifts'...as somebody said of the US, this guy seems to be of similar ilk. Didn't hear of the Bradley one...when did she say that?

lawred2

Edgware wrote: »

They claimed they were operating on behalf of the people.

what's your point?

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

Deleted User wrote: »

Callous individual expresses no remorse. Quelle surprise.

Exactly. I’d say there are killers of innocents on both sides who feel no remorse, tbh.

I’m sure I’ll be called a whatabout-er. But I’m not a very political person. It just bothers me when innocent civilians are killed, no matter what the cause.

super_furry

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Sure let's hear from the Provos and see their level on the Remorse-o-meter.

Didn't realise it was a competition.

Harry Palmr

Murray TheDemonic TalkingSkull wrote: »

Difference between illegal rebels forces and State sanctioned trained Killers.

That difference means they should be held to account but it doesn't mean the individual would think any different to a member of the P-IRA or UVF. The only thing you can debate is whether such people should have been screened out of the military.

Well guess what - it's an army (in the early 70s). Not the social services.

buried

Hopefully all these hoors end up in Hell getting sodomised by a life sized cenotaph pagan obelisk for eternity

RobertKK

Murder is murder, and the British state is up to it's neck in murder when it comes to the troubles. Terrorism committed by a nation state is in no way acceptable compared to an outlawed terrorist organisation.
All are equally guilty when they commit the same crime.

Edgware

lawred2 wrote: »

what's your point?

Whats your point?

steddyeddy

lawred2 wrote: »

And with Karen Brady today stating that she doesn't consider killings by British security forces in NI to be crimes one would be lead to believe that there is definitely an element who still see little issue with British behavior in Ireland.

Yes I seen that earlier and now have added that to the original post.

steddyeddy

Edgware wrote: »

I have no doubt but plenty of our own "freedom fighters" haven't an ounce of remorse for Birmingham, Enniskillen, The Hanna Family massacre etc.
Dirtbirds are dirtbirds whatever flag they operate under

Indeed but does our state cover up for them?

lawred2

Edgware wrote: »

Whats your point?

alright pal - you've had your fun

riffmongous

And yet there are plenty in Britain who will demand that this man is never brought before a court

PopePalpatine

riffmongous wrote: »

And yet there are plenty in Britain who will demand that this man is never brought before a court

Gammon: not even once.

jippo nolan

lawred2 wrote: »

And with Karen Brady today stating that she doesn't consider killings by British security forces in NI to be crimes one would be lead to believe that there is definitely an element who still see little issue with British behavior in Ireland.

It’s called the softening up process for news to come!

Edgware

lawred2 wrote: »

alright pal - you've had your fun

Alright pal-you've had your fun

steddyeddy

riffmongous wrote: »

And yet there are plenty in Britain who will demand that this man is never brought before a court

Yea I live over in England. There's substantial amount that think they did no wrong. Approximately the same amount of people who think leaving the EU will be a good idea....

eagle eye

Church on Tuesday wrote:

Well that particular 'soldier' should hang his head in shame.

Or just be hanged.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

Two instances of whataboutery in less than 6 posts. Is that a record?

Sure the IRA were voted in by the Irish people weren't they. If it wasn't for the brave Winston Churchill, Martin Adams and Gerry McGuiness would have never bent the knee to the queen.

Rule Britannia!!!

Edgware

steddyeddy wrote: »

Yea I live over in England. There's substantial amount that think they did no wrong. Approximately the same amount of people who think leaving the EU will be a good idea....

52% voted for Brexit. Just because Paddy the slave of Europe thinks its a bad idea doesnt necessarily mean that it is. If we had a Border Poll in the morning with a 52% Yes to a united Ireland Paddy would be very quick demanding that the democratic wish of the people be recognised

Augme

I hope people remember this the next time the poppy issue comes up about James McClean and anyone else who refuses to wear it.

Galwayguy35

To these guys the Irish were dirt on their shoe so it's not surprising this oul c**t would come out with a statement like that.

Karen Bradley on the other hand should have known better, although it seems the DUP MP's agreed with her seeing as they nodded their heads in agreement as she basically said it was all right to shoot innocent Catholics.

steddyeddy

Edgware wrote: »

52% voted for Brexit. Just because Paddy the slave of Europe thinks its a bad idea doesnt necessarily mean that it is. If we had a Border Poll in the morning with a 52% Yes to a united Ireland Paddy would be very quick demanding that the democratic wish of the people be recognised

No literally everybody thinks it's a bad idea. I've met Trump voters who think it's stupid.

givyjoe

Edgware wrote: »

52% voted for Brexit. Just because Paddy the slave of Europe thinks its a bad idea doesnt necessarily mean that it is. If we had a Border Poll in the morning with a 52% Yes to a united Ireland Paddy would be very quick demanding that the democratic wish of the people be recognised

Why do you keep saying Paddy?

Franz Von Peppercorn

Edgware wrote: »

52% voted for Brexit. Just because Paddy the slave of Europe thinks its a bad idea doesnt necessarily mean that it is. If we had a Border Poll in the morning with a 52% Yes to a united Ireland Paddy would be very quick demanding that the democratic wish of the people be recognised

Anybody know why there’s no automatic ban for the use of Paddy this way? We’ve produced a strange kind of Irishman who writes like a British colonel in the 80’s in the letters section of the Telegraph. There are surely far right British forums where this kind of pathology is acceptable.

With regards to Bloody Sunday I think the soldiers should be investigated - not sure about punishment given that there were prisoner releases in the agreement.

Franz Von Peppercorn

givyjoe wrote: »

Why do you keep saying Paddy?

He’s a colonised craw thumper.

Edgware

givyjoe wrote: »

Why do you keep saying Paddy?

Ask Enda Kenny

lertsnim

givyjoe wrote: »

Why do you keep saying Paddy?

Is it not obvious? He thinks he's superior to poor Paddy.

Buford T. Justice XIX

Edgware wrote: »

Alright pal-you've had your fun

Mod note: Edgware, I sincerely doubt you're here to discuss anything, going by your posts so far. Don't post in this thread again.

Buford T. Justice.

qm1bv4p8i92aoj

Edgware wrote: »

52% voted for Brexit. Just because Paddy the slave of Europe thinks its a bad idea doesnt necessarily mean that it is. If we had a Border Poll in the morning with a 52% Yes to a united Ireland Paddy would be very quick demanding that the democratic wish of the people be recognised

Ah sure just because the idiots of Europe, the tans think it's a good idea to shoot themselves in the face a la Brexit doesn't make it ok for cowardly tan soldiers to shoot innocent Irish people in the back.

nlrkjos

Individual soldiers should not be prosecuted, no matter how bad their actions, they were young, scared and following orders, and that's what soldiers do.I know, following orders has been rejected as an excuse for criminality/murder.

However I believe the regiment should be publicly stripped of whatever "campaign banners" they would have received for their tours of duty in Ireland, this act would bring shame on the regiment which likes to laud its proud history, and in fairness it did have respect for its role in WW2, and Prince Charles as honorary commander should also publicly apologise for bloody Sunday murders and also Ballymurphy case.

Just being a bit cynical here, but is any of this related to "compensation" or will an apology suffice ?

Purgative

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

To these guys the Irish were dirt on their shoe so it's not surprising this oul c**t would come out with a statement like that.

Karen Bradley on the other hand should have known better, although it seems the DUP MP's agreed with her seeing as they nodded their heads in agreement as she basically said it wa sall right to shoot innocent Catholics.

Fair post. Though I've always been of the opinion that paratroopers are some of most effective and aggressive troops the world over.



I think there is a higher responsibility for putting troops like that into what was largely a police action.

Plumbthedepths

nlrkjos wrote:

Individual soldiers should not be prosecuted, no matter how bad their actions, they were young, scared and following orders, and that's what soldiers do.I know, following orders has been rejected as an excuse for criminality/murder.

I was only following orders got tossed out in Nuremberg. Didn't work.

lawred2

nlrkjos wrote: »

Individual soldiers should not be prosecuted, no matter how bad their actions, they were young, scared and following orders, and that's what soldiers do.I know, following orders has been rejected as an excuse for criminality/murder.

However I believe the regiment should be publicly stripped of whatever "campaign banners" they would have received for their tours of duty in Ireland, this act would bring shame on the regiment which likes to laud its proud history, and in fairness it did have respect for its role in WW2, and Prince Charles as honorary commander should also publicly apologise for bloody Sunday murders and also Ballymurphy case.

Just being a bit cynical here, but is any of this related to "compensation" or will an apology suffice ?

What a load of old boy tosh. Do you think the families of those unarmed people shot in the back give a toss about campaign banners!? Do you think the wider public does?

That is utterly meaningless triviality to anyone outside of military circles.

It is not ok to shoot unarmed people in the back whatever you're wearing.

Scared - give me a break. They were shooting from on height at unarmed people. What were they scared of?

NIMAN

Not surprised by such comments, the BA has a history of murder long before the Troubles ever came around.

I really hope the guy who said this is one of those who could potentially be done for murder in the coming weeks.

Auldloon

I've worked with a lot of ex British military including paras but we've always avoided this topic or I'd probably have ended up getting a kicking! They to a man are very proud of their regiment and I doubt any would see those guys as guilty of anything.
The general population would feel the same in my experience from living in the U.K. nearly 20 years.

steddyeddy

steddyeddy wrote: »

He also considers the day itself to be "a job well done" even though he acknowledges at least some of the victims were innocent. Is this British view of the troubles still completely at odds with our own?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47466460

This comes as karen bradley states that killing by soldiers are not crimes.

What with that Tory politician a few months ago saying Britain should threaten the food supply of the Irish, they're all great entertainment anyway. Once upon a time these outbursts were controversial - Denning's notorious "appalling vista" comment being the outstanding one of the 1980s - now they're just reflective of a broader "We've collectively gone off the rails" mentality. As Brexit's reality dawns on even the thickest one, and as they reduce their food safety and animal welfare standards to get a deal with the US, the whole place is more to be pitied than laughed at. Ken Clarke and a very small handful of other public figures will be the only ones to come out well in the history books from this populist coup.

the_syco

https://www.irishpost.com/news/boris-johnson-defends-bloody-sunday-soldiers-slams-calls-trial-ira-get-away-troubles-crimes-164974

[url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47466460]BORIS JOHNSON[/url] wrote:

"Are we really proposing to send old soldiers to die in jail – after we gave dozens of wanted terrorists a get-out-of-jail-free card under the Good Friday Agreement? Is that balanced? Is that fair?"

Although Boris is a **** at the best of times, he does have a point.

Plumbthedepths

the_syco wrote:

Although Boris is a **** at the best of times, he does have a point.

I believe killers from a certain war during the 40's are being hunted and prosecuted still.

klaaaz

The latest into the super delayed inquest in Ballymurphy massacre(10 civilians were murdered by the British Army including a priest and a mother of 8) Today it was the turn of a boy aged 11 who was shot and critically injured at the time
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47471512

Mr Butler recalled an Army Saracen entering the field and two soldiers lifting bodies into the back of it.

He said one of the men was wounded and crying out in pain.

Mr Butler told the court one of the soldiers withdrew a sidearm, swore at the man who was moaning in pain, and shot the man dead, with one or two rounds "towards the chest".

The mother of 8 Joan Connolly was shot in the face by a "brave soldier", she was blinded lying wounded on the ground screaming in pain and died of her injuries.

List of Ballymurphy victims
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-46199577

Apparently, the shooting dead of a few hundred unarmed Irish civilians by the British Army and their proxies is not a crime now

Dyr

Just remember these are the lads your poppy money goes to

Lets all just move on eh?