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Soldier arrested over Bloody Sunday killings

A former British soldier has been arrested over the Bloody Sunday killings in Derry, which left 14 Catholic protestors dead.

British troops opened fire on a civil rights march by Catholics in the city in the north of Ireland in January 1972, during the height of the Troubles.

The 66 year old who was arrested is a former member of the Parachute Regiment and is thought to be questioned in Belfast over the deaths of William Nash, Michael McDaid and John Young.

Kate Nash, whose 19-year-old brother, William, was killed on Bloody Sunday, said she welcomed the news.
"I had a call this morning from the police liaison officer that deals with our family," Ms Nash said to the BBC.

"She said that they had arrested a soldier and that he was being questioned. She said she wanted the family to know first before it went out on the news.

"She said he was being questioned in relation to the death of my brother, William and two others: Michael McDaid, John Young and the attempted murder of my father.

A Ministry of Defence (MOD) spokesperson said: "We are aware an ex-soldier has been arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in connection with their investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further on an ongoing criminal investigation at this stage."

The Northern Ireland Office said: "Criminal investigations and prosecutions are a matter for the police and prosecuting authorities who act independently of government and politicians. The government cannot therefore comment on an individual case."

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