NI: Bloody Sunday families granted leave for judicial review of PPS decision

NI: Bloody Sunday families granted leave for judicial review of PPS decision

Fearghal Shiels

The families of five people shot and killed on Bloody Sunday have been granted leave for a judicial review of the decision not to prosecute former British soldiers for murder.

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced in 2019 that one former British soldier would be charged with two murders and four attempted murders, but there was “insufficient” evidence to charge 18 other suspects including 16 former soldiers.

The families of Jackie Duddy, Michael Kelly, John Young, Michael McDaid and William McKinney were yesterday granted permission by the High Court to challenge decisions by the PPS not to prosecute five former soldiers.

The judicial review challenge has been listed for hearing for five days beginning on 20 September 2021.

Speaking yesterday, solicitor Fearghal Shiels of Madden & Finucane said: “The families were notified of the High Court’s decision late this afternoon.

“This application arises out of decisions taken in March 2019 by the PPS not to prosecute these soldiers, and a decision upheld after an internal review of that decision by the PPS in September 2020.

“The families warmly welcome today’s decision and look forward with confidence to the full hearing in the autumn.”

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