Hyde Park bombing – Victims’ families and Sun readers finally bring evil IRA murderer John Downey to justice
THE High Court today ruled convicted IRA man John Downey was an “active participant” in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing.
It is a huge victory for the victims’ families, whose campaign for justice was backed by The Sun and its readers.
Mrs Justice Yip said in the High Court that Downey was “knowingly involved” in the car bombing.
Afterwards Sarahjane Young, whose dad Jeffrey was killed, said: “We’ve got justice. We can call John Downey what he really is at last — a terrorist murderer.”
Downey thought he had dodged justice when his Old Bailey criminal trial collapsed in 2014.
But the families launched a civil action against Downey — with the backing of The Sun.
They were refused legal aid four times, despite the fact Downey had been given £50,000 to defend himself against criminal proceedings.
So Sun readers raised £85,000 to help pursue the case.
Sarahjane said: “If it hadn’t been for people putting their hands in their pockets like The Sun’s readers, I’m not sure we’d ever have got here.
'ALMOST GIVEN UP HOPE'
“I want to thank each and every one of you because today we got justice.
“This is such a huge moment. I know my dad’s looking down from somewhere smiling.”
Today’s ruling comes almost three years after The Sun joined the families to launch the Hyde Park Justice campaign.
It paves the way for the families to bankrupt Downey, who denied any part in the bombing, by pursuing him for damages of up to half a million pounds.
As Mrs Justice Yip delivered her judgment Sarahjane wept in court. As a four-year-old she had watched from her nursery window as her dad, 19-year-old Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young, was blown up.
Sarahjane, now 41, was today comforted by Mark Tipper, whose brother Trooper Simon Tipper, 19, was also killed.
Plumber Mark, 59, added: “When we launched the campaign three years ago I said we’d been let down time and time again by the authorities and had almost given up hope.
“But I also said the British people put up the best fight of all and thanks to The Sun’s readers, we’re here today. I just want to thank all of you.
“You have no idea what this day means to all of us. I really mean that. My brother can sleep easy at last.”
Simon had returned from his honeymoon with wife Louise, 17, two days before the bombing, which also injured 31.
Louise said today: “It’s been a long time coming. Now everyone knows what John Downey really is.”
Ex-Blues and Royals cavalrymen who survived the IRA attack joined the families’ celebrations.
Trooper Mario Latino, 57, was a close friend of Simon. He said: “Tips was my best mate on the guard. He’d only just got married — he was showing me his wedding photos on the morning he died. I only survived because I was a couple of rows in front of him and we’d just got past the bomb car.
'HISTORIC DAY'
“This judgment is for those brothers who fell.”
Ex-Major Chris Daly, 55, whose brother Lieutenant Anthony “Digger” Daly died aged 23, added: “It’s an historic day.”
Two hours after the Hyde Park bomb a second device exploded in Regents Park, killing seven Royal Green Jackets bandsmen.
Downey, convicted of IRA membership in 1974, was arrested over Hyde Park at Gatwick in 2013 while on holiday. But the case collapsed a year later when his lawyers produced a letter from the UK Government assuring him he was no longer wanted for crimes linked to the Troubles.
The so-called “comfort letters” had been given to 222 “on-the-run” terrorist suspects under a secret deal that was part of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
After the trial collapsed Downey returned home to Co Donegal, Ireland.
Meanwhile, the victims’ families hired lawyers McCue and Partners to pursue a civil case. The Legal Aid Agency refused funding four times before finally giving in under pressure from campaigners, including The Sun.
Downey refused to take part in the High Court action — even by video link.
Mrs Justice Yip said he had repeatedly ignored offers to fight the case and she was “entirely satisfied” he had “chosen not to participate”.
She said the precision of the 1982 nail bombing was “frankly chilling” and was a “wicked, premeditated attack”.
And she added: “I am left in no doubt that the killing of these soldiers was intentional.” The judge said it was “probable” Downey had been driving the car used in the bombing on the morning of the attack.
And she concluded: “In the circumstances, it is reasonable to infer that the defendant was knowingly involved in the concerted plan to detonate the bomb in Hyde Park specifically targeted at the passing Guard.”
Matthew Jury, of McCue and Partners, said: “The forgotten victims are finally remembered.
“Sarahjane and the brave families gathered here wish to tell them that no matter how many years have passed, justice can, will and must be done. We invite the Government to meet them to ensure it never fails them, victims or veterans again.”
Car clue to bomb
JOHN Downey was part of an IRA cell which detonated two bombs on one day, security chiefs believe.
He is thought to have been among four Provo bombers who carried out both the Hyde Park and Regent’s Park attacks on July 20 1982, killing a total of 11 soldiers.
Detectives nailed Downey through the blue Morris Marina used to detonate the 25lb nail bomb.
His fingerprints were on car park tickets from the vehicle.
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Downey is currently on remand in Maghaberry prison in Northern Ireland, accused of murdering two soldiers.
Alfred Johnston and James Eames died in an IRA bomb attack in Enniskillen in 1972. He is understood to deny the claims.
His legal team last month offered a staggering £725,000 to win him bail. It was rejected.
The Sun says
JOHN Downey was the IRA’s Hyde Park bomber. It is thanks to Sun readers that this evil man now stands condemned.
It has taken 37 long years for his victims’ determined relatives to get the justice denied to them in the criminal courts by Tony Blair’s Government giving Downey immunity.
But it took our readers’ generosity to fund the case after Legal Aid chiefs initially refused.
We congratulate the families and hope they now take Downey for every penny he has in damages.
And today there will be further good news for those who fought for Britain in the Troubles — as well as their families: a new law at last ending vexatious prosecutions against veterans.
For good measure, the Queen’s Speech will announce an end to early release for jailed terrorists too. Excellent.
It’s as if Britain has been engulfed by a sudden outbreak of common sense.
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