Troubles prosecutions: Reaction to decision to drop cases against ex-soldiers

Victims' families, politicians and other prominent figures have been responding to the decision not to prosecute two Army veterans facing murder charges over incidents in Londonderry in 1972.

The cases involve individuals known as Soldier F and Soldier B.

Soldier F was to be prosecuted over the deaths of James Wray and William McKinney on Bloody Sunday as well as five attempted murder charges.

The case against Soldier B relates to the death of 15-year-old Daniel Hegarty, who was shot twice in the head in Londonderry in July 1972, and the wounding of his cousin Christopher.

On Friday the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said the test of prosecution was longer passed after it had reviewed evidence that was due to be used.

Families of the victims have pledged to fight the decision.

"We shall challenge this decision as far as we can," said Mr McKinney.

"This issue is far from concluded. We will fight on."

"Not surprised but disappointed obviously," said Mr Wray (above, right, pictured with other members of the Wray family).

"Our fear was that the prosecution case against Soldier F would be dropped.

"The decision today does not make Jim any less murdered than he was in 1972."

"It's a day of devastation . The fact that justice has been denied to the people of Derry, to the families - highly disappointed.

"But one point is we're never going to give up. We'll find some way of seeing [Soldier] F in a court of law."

The deputy first minister said it was a "bad day for justice".

"The message is clear, British state forces who gunned down peaceful protestors and a child in Derry acted with impunity and will be allowed by the state to get away with murder.

"We will continue to stand by the Bloody Sunday and Hegarty families."

The East Londonderry MP said the victims' families were unlikely to find closure by way of the courts.

"It is going to be almost impossible, in my view and in the view of many, as years go on and we get further and further and memories become even more distant, to get to an accurate recreation of what happened, and how it happened, and thereby then try and bring closure to families who desperately want it," he said.

The Foyle MP said he was devastated for the Bloody Sunday and Hegarty families.

"What this is saying to the world is the British government can with impunity murder its own citizens and get away with it," he said.

"That's an astonishing thing to say to people, it is absolutely wrong. I know these families very well and they will not stop campaigning for justice."

He said "proper judicial process" were now needed.

The soldier-turned-politician said the victims' families would join the thousands of Troubles victims who "never saw justice".

"The justice system has not worked and dealing with legacy has not worked and it's difficult to see how we are going to get out of where we are now," he said.

"There's nobody today should be raising banners and screaming and shouting and saying this is great news - the reality is there's still families suffering in regards to this."

The North Down MP said the government should reflect on "flawed investigations" into Troubles cases.

The "first thought" should be with victims' families on what was a "difficult and stressing day" for them, he said.

A spokesperson for Mr Coveney said the Irish foreign affairs department was keeping in contact with the McKinney, Wray and Hegarty families on behalf of the Irish government.

"This is deeply upsetting for all the families involved who have spent so many years in pursuit of justice for their loved ones and our thoughts are with all of them today," said the spokesperson.

"All victims' families must have access to an effective investigation and to a process of justice in accordance with the law and regardless of the perpetrator."

The Labour MP said: "The ongoing failure to deliver a process to deal with the legacy of the past remains an open wound which is failing victims and their families.

"This decision is further proof that we urgently need to see a comprehensive process which has the trust of victims, searches for the truth and upholds the rule of law.

"Only such a process, agreed with the people and communities of Northern Ireland, will help Northern Ireland deal with the terrible legacy of the past."

The Conservative MP said the decision "highlighted the government's shame" and there were "no winners in this".

"I feel for the families who have gone down this path for a long time.

"And of course I feel for the veterans who have had their lives ruined by repeated investigations into what went on in Northern Ireland.

"Successive governments have promised to sort out legacy - they haven't."

The former NI Policing Board vice-chairman said "victims have to accept that they will not achieve the justice that they once felt they might".

"I think what is clear after today, and even more clear with every one of these cases, is that the judicial system cannot deal with our past.

"The other thing they have to come to terms with is that society moves on and loses interest and you're left with your own pain and grief."