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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legacy body to investigate Narrow Water and M62 bombing atrocities
The body tasked with probing outstanding cases from the Northern Ireland Troubles is to investigate the Narrow Water atrocity in which 18 soldiers were killed in Co Down in 1979. The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information (ICRIR) will also investigate the 1974 M62 coach bombing in England, which killed nine soldiers and three civilians. They are among the latest cases that have been accepted by the commission and are in the information recovery stage. The Narrow Water atrocity occurred on August 27 1979, as a convoy of vehicles transported Parachute Regiment soldiers from Ballykinler barracks to Newry. As they passed the old Narrow Water castle ruins, IRA terrorists remotely detonated the two bombs from a firing point across the Newry River in the Republic of Ireland. Eighteen soldiers were killed, the highest death toll suffered by the Army in a single day during the Troubles. There was also a 19th victim – Michael Hudson, who had been visiting the Republic of Ireland from London, who was killed by army gunfire across the river following the blasts. Nobody was ever convicted over the attacks. The incident came just hours after Lord Mountbatten, two members of his family and a Co Fermanagh teenager had been killed by the IRA in a boat bomb in Co Sligo. The M62 coach bombing in West Yorkshire occurred on February 4 1974. The coach was carrying soldiers and their families back to their Catterick base when an IRA bomb hidden in the luggage compartment of exploded. Twelve people were killed, including two children aged five and two. The ICRIR was created by the previous government's controversial Legacy Act and is headed by former Northern Ireland Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan. Bereaved families, victims and certain public authorities can request the commission carry out an investigation into Troubles incidents. While the Labour Government has said it will repeal and replace parts of the Act and reinstate inquests and civil cases, it is retaining the ICRIR. Many bereaved families are unhappy with the retention of the commission and have vowed not to engage with it. Victims have questioned the body's independence and its ability to uncover answers about Troubles crimes. The commission has previously revealed that it is carrying out an investigation into the Guildford pub bombings of 1974 and has also been asked to investigate the Kingsmill massacre in Co Armagh in 1976.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Legacy body to investigate Narrow Water and M62 bombing atrocities
The body tasked with probing outstanding cases from the Northern Ireland Troubles is to investigate the Narrow Water atrocity in which 18 soldiers were killed in Co Down in 1979. The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information (ICRIR) will also investigate the 1974 M62 coach bombing in England, which killed nine soldiers and three civilians. They are among the latest cases that have been accepted by the commission and are in the information recovery stage. The Narrow Water atrocity occurred on August 27 1979, as a convoy of vehicles transported Parachute Regiment soldiers from Ballykinler barracks to Newry. As they passed the old Narrow Water castle ruins, IRA terrorists remotely detonated the two bombs from a firing point across the Newry River in the Republic of Ireland. Eighteen soldiers were killed, the highest death toll suffered by the Army in a single day during the Troubles. There was also a 19th victim – Michael Hudson, who had been visiting the Republic of Ireland from London, who was killed by army gunfire across the river following the blasts. Nobody was ever convicted over the attacks. The incident came just hours after Lord Mountbatten, two members of his family and a Co Fermanagh teenager had been killed by the IRA in a boat bomb in Co Sligo. The M62 coach bombing in West Yorkshire occurred on February 4 1974. The coach was carrying soldiers and their families back to their Catterick base when an IRA bomb hidden in the luggage compartment of exploded. Twelve people were killed, including two children aged five and two. The ICRIR was created by the previous government's controversial Legacy Act and is headed by former Northern Ireland Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan. Bereaved families, victims and certain public authorities can request the commission carry out an investigation into Troubles incidents. While the Labour Government has said it will repeal and replace parts of the Act and reinstate inquests and civil cases, it is retaining the ICRIR. Many bereaved families are unhappy with the retention of the commission and have vowed not to engage with it. Victims have questioned the body's independence and its ability to uncover answers about Troubles crimes. The commission has previously revealed that it is carrying out an investigation into the Guildford pub bombings of 1974 and has also been asked to investigate the Kingsmill massacre in Co Armagh in 1976.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
British soldier-turned-politician ‘told colleague not to attempt CPR on IRA hitman's father'
A Parachute Regiment soldier turned Australian politician was present during the death of the father of notorious IRA hitman Gerard 'Hucker' Moyna during the Troubles, a new book has claimed.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Ex-Army chief criticises PM for giving key role to civil servant who invited Gerry Adams to wedding
A former Parachute Regiment boss has criticised the Prime Minister for appointing a civil servant who invited Gerry Adams to his wedding as his national security adviser. Lieutenant Colonel Simon Barry lashed out over Sir Keir Starmer 's decision in a scathing letter lambasting Labour 's plan to scrap the Northern Ireland Legacy Act. Lt Col Barry vented his frustration at the appointment of Jonathan Powell as the PM's national security adviser, who was given the job in November last year. Mr Powell, who previously served as Tony Blair 's chief of staff from 1995 to 2007, invited former Sinn Fein leader Adams and late IRA chief Martin McGuinness to his wedding in 2007. Neither eventually attended the ceremony. The 68-year-old is seen as one of the government's de facto diplomacy whizzes, having previously served as chief British negotiator on Northern Ireland from 1997 to 2007. More recently, he has had a hand in Labour's Chagos Islands 'surrender' deal. But writing to veterans minister Alastair Carns, Lt Col Barry - the ex-commander of the now defunct 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment - took aim at Mr Powell, and at the PM's approach to the Legacy Act, which protects UK troops from legal witch hunts. Lashing out at the government's plan to scrap the bill, Lt Col Barry wrote: 'A previous Labour government gave comfort letters to suspected terrorists and released many others from prison, where they had been held for murder and serious crimes. 'A link to the present is Jonathan Powell, who invited [Gerry] Adams and [Martin] McGuinness to his wedding party and is now the PM's security adviser.' The retired paratrooper said repelling the act would provide 'zero fairness' for Northern Ireland veterans - many of whom are now in their late 70s or 80s and could face being dragged into court for alleged incidents during their service. 'However, what it does - and is doing - is to enable the mass murderers to observe, while laughing at, the UK Government blundering about in a self-harming process that they themselves have created,' the veteran army officer continued. 'And in parallel they continue to rewrite history as the victorious British Army is persecuted for doing its duty.' In his letter, Lt Col Barry accused Labour of betraying the troops who served in Northern Ireland and of reneging on its election promise to be 'on the side of veterans', which he branded as 'no longer believable'. 'The vast majority of veterans are from the working class as you well know,' he continued in his letter, which was shared by former Conservative veterans minister Johnny Mercer on X. 'They are baffled that Labour, who claims to represent the working class, are happy to throw them under a double decker bus in favour of the IRA.' Mr Powell took over the role of national security adviser to the government from Sir Tim Barrow. Announcing his appointment last year, Sir Keir said: 'Jonathan has devoted his career to protecting the interests of the country, having served for seventeen years as a diplomat in the Foreign Office and ten years as Chief of Staff in No10, and I am delighted to appoint him to this important role. 'Together with his experience helping to negotiate the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and work on some of the world's most complex conflicts, he is uniquely qualified to advise the Government on tackling the challenges ahead and engage with counterparts across the globe to protect and advance UK interests.' Mr Powell said he was 'honoured' to have been given the top job which he described as 'hugely important role'. 'As the Prime Minister has set out, national security is at the heart of this country's response to the many challenges we face and having an integrated response will be crucial to our success,' he added. Last week the government was dealt a blow its plans to axe the Northern Ireland Legacy Act was delayed. Aided by the Daily Mail's own 'Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign', almost 200,000 backed the bid to ensure soldiers are not exposed to a witch-hunt in the form of misconduct claims from the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Tory defence spokesman Mark Francois said the Government had been 'rocked' by the backlash and had postponed a Commons bid to scrap the Legacy Act. He had expected Labour to present plans for alternative legislation before summer recess. But after a surge of public support for the Mail's campaign and a parliamentary debate, they were seemingly put on ice last week. The move may also be linked to a reported threat by Labour veterans minister Mr Carns to resign over the issue. Just under 180,000 people have signed the parliamentary petition, boosted by former SAS reservist Sir David Davis, to support veterans. The battle to preserve their legal protections – deemed unlawful by a court in Northern Ireland – is expected to resume this autumn.
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Lt. Gen. Pushpendra Singh named new army Vice-Chief
Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh, an officer of the Parachute Regiment, has been appointed as the Vice-Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), will take over the charge on Friday. Mr. Singh have an illustrious career spanning more than 35 years of dedicated service to the Indian Army. He will be succeeding Lt. Gen. NS Raja Subramani, who assumed the office of VCOAS on July 1, 2024. Also, Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, is set to be the next Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. He had assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on May 1, 2024. Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, set to be the next VCNS, will take charge on August 1, confirmed a senior official. Lt. Gen. Pushpendra Singh is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned into the 4 Para (Special Forces) in December 1987. He participated in numerous operations, including Pawan, Meghdoot, Rakshak, and Orchid. His foreign combat exposure includes serving in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in Lebanon and Sri Lanka. Mr. Singh has held various leadership roles throughout his career, including serving as the General Officer Commanding of the Rising Star Corps since April 2022. His exceptional service has been recognised with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Sena Medal, which he has been awarded twice.
