New Probe Launched Into All 302 Killings By British Servicemen In Northern Ireland.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4011758/Probe-launched-302-killings-British-troops-Northern-Ireland.html

We had a very interesting post earlier regarding the case of Royal Marine Sergeant Blackman and now we read of yet another witch hunt against members of our armed forces.

When will this type of thing stop, how far are they prepared to go back, will some 90 year olds be charged for offences against Nazi concentration guards?

[Islay]

So you are happy for some soldiers to go unpunished for murder then (if they are found to have taken part in unlawful shooting?

[andy-hughes]

Islay - you have again demonstrated my 'So' rule.

The rule applies when you start your post with 'So', and the proceed to either ignore the post to which you are replying, or you 'reply' to something that the original poster did not say.

[Togo]

//When will this type of thing stop//

It will stop aog when it has been established once and for all that our military can be despatched to areas of violent conduct, where it is perfectly in order for them to be attacked, but under no circumstances are they allowed to fire back without a debate in parliament and a panel of judges to consider the decision first. Any who are killed will expected to pay for their own funerals and be liable for the repair of their uniforms before returning them to the MOD.

[andy-hughes]

My serious worry is that this enquiry is not going to be able to reach any meaningful conclusions because of the passage of time, and the inevitable loss of any reliable evidence and testimony.

This could potentially roll on for years, costing millions, and causing untold grief and heartache to innocent people, only for the end result to be that nothing has actually changed.

I am all in favour of justice being served, but if that means injustice to innocent people on the way to justice being failed, then it needs to be stopped before it begins.

[jackthehat]

I can't quite decide how I feel about this.

I think a reciprocal investigation into the 'soldiers' of the IRA (other paramilitary organisations are available) and the murderous atrocities they committed might help me make my mind up....

[andy-hughes]

An excellent point jack.

It is only possible to trace the British service personnel because they are registered as employees of the British forces. Terrorists of any nationality at any time are exempt from such scrutiny.

[Baldric]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/03/theresa-may-vows-to-protect-troops-from-legal-witch-hunt-by-opti/

[Ellipsis]

> The 238 'fatal incidents', which involved the deaths of 302 people, are being investigated by the newly-created Legacy Investigations Branch of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

How is that Legacy Investigations Branch funded? Presumably they're not getting enough from the taxpayer, otherwise why are they limiting their investigations to only the killings ... why not go the whole hog and investigate every single injury suffered by the poor things?

[ichkeria]

There are investigations into paramilitary killing in N Ireland
They just don't make the headlines. One reason for that is that often there are few leads.

[douglas9401]

I can think of a couple of fine, upstanding public servants who might be of interest to an enquiry were they not now part of the establishment and thus immune to any and all probing.
Until they're dead of course then hands can be wrung and sorrowful heads shaken.
Absolutely business as usual.

[jackthehat]

///There are investigations into paramilitary killing in N Ireland
They just don't make the headlines. One reason for that is that often there are few leads.///

I'm more interested in the 'command-chain' and the orders given......and naming those responsible for the Mainland bombings (ordering and carrying out) might be a welcome start.

[mikey4444]

AOG....I am not quite sure what stance you are taking here. The case of soldier that your referring to, a Sergeant Blackman, and the cases in NI have very little in common.

If there is any doubt about a death in a combat zone, then I'm not sure why you think we shouldn't be investigating it ?

[ToraToraTora]

should please the anti British

[jim360]

Oh, definitely did please me. Added an extra special white creamy material to my Tibetan pease porridge when I read the news...

But seriously. I don't see why it's so offensive to want to ensure that British soldiers are held to account, where appropriate. It's entirely compatible with admiring them for the work that they overwhelmingly do -- and I do, no doubt about that. For this particular case, or set of cases, I'm slightly surprised that they are being brought up again. Bloody Sunday aside, I had thought that the Good Friday Agreement was, in part, a closing of the book on this.

[ichkeria]

No the Good Friday Agreement was not a watershed which meant that all past crimes could no longer be investigated

[andy-hughes]

jim360 - //But seriously. I don't see why it's so offensive to want to ensure that British soldiers are held to account, where appropriate. //

Nor do I, I have no problem with the concept, it's the realisation that is going to cause the issues, and the very probable lack of any meaningful conclusions which will not be seen as being worth the time, trouble, anguish, and money and time taken not to get anywhere.

[ToraToraTora]

when we hold the irish terrorsist to account too I'd agree Andy. It's ok that they blow up innocents in British cities but 40 kin years later we are persecuting our own soldiers on the alter of Liberal cobblers for trying to fight a war against these *** with both arms tied behind their backs.

[ToraToraTora]

It's bleedin well over leave it alone.

[ToraToraTora]

what is this obsession with inquiries about everything in the past until we get the "correct" output from some liberal judge.