Hyde Park Memorial. Photograph by David Smith
A man accused of planting the 1982 Hyde Park bomb, which killed four soldiers, will not be prosecuted after he was mistakenly given a guarantee he would not face trial under the Good Friday Agreement.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) gave John Downey, 62, who denies murder, an official assurance that he would not face prosecution in 2007 under the Good Friday Agreement, despite knowing that Scotland Yard still wanted him for the Hyde Park bombing.
The assurance letter said said:
“There are no warrants in existence, nor are you wanted in Northern Ireland for arrest, questioning or charging by police. The Police Service of Northern Ireland are not aware of any interest in you by any other police force.”
Although police soon realised their mistake, the assurance was never withdrawn.
On 21st February Mr Justice Sweeney ruled that the public interest in making sure state officials keep their promises outweighed the public interest in a trial and possible prosecution for the bombing.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now said that it does not wish to appeal against the judge’s ruling, which meant that the case could be reported on.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Matt Baggott said:
“I wish to apologise to the families of the victims and survivors of the Hyde Park atrocity..
I deeply regret these failings which should not have happened. We are currently carrying out a check of these cases to ensure the accuracy of information processed by the PSNI.”
