Justice at last for Shropshire victim of IRA Hyde Park bombing

But IRA terrorist John Downey was only named as the culprit after victims’ families took their case to the High Court.

Relatives of the four Household Cavalrymen who died in July 1982 launched legal action against the convicted IRA member after a criminal case collapsed on a technicality at the Old Bailey in 2014.

Today the relatives won the first stage of their High Court damages claim against Downey. The case will now progress to a second stage to determine the amount of damages to be awarded.

Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Roy Bright, 36, from Broseley, was among the dead. He had been carrying the regimental standard for the Blues and Royals when he was killed while riding his horse on the way to the ceremonial changing of the guard.

He clung to life for three days before dying in Westminster Hospital with his wife Marion at his bedside. His mount Waterford was among the horses killed.

Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Bright left a daughter, Lorraine, and son, Ian, who were aged 14 and 12 at the time.

He had last been home only two days before the attack. He attended Madeley Modern School and had been in the Army for 21 years and had served in Ulster. He had joined the Blues and Royals in August 1980 and had served in Ulster. His father Ted Bright had been a scoutmaster in Broseley.

The tattered and blood-spattered standard that Corporal-Major Bright had been carrying went on parade again days after the bombing when the regiment took up its duties guarding Whitehall

Mrs Justice Yip ruled in the High Court that Downey was an “active participant” in the bombing and was jointly responsible with other IRA members for the attack, in which 31 other people were injured.

Others killed included Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young, 19, Lieutenant Dennis Daly, 23, and Trooper Simon Tipper, also 19.

A criminal prosecution of Downey collapsed in 2014 when it emerged he had earlier been sent a letter assuring him he was not wanted by British police over the IRA attack.

Families call for meeting with Government

The families of the bombing victims have now urged the Government to meet them after the High Court ruling.

Lawyers representing Sarahjane Young, whose father, Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young, was one of those killed and who brought the civil case against Downey, said justice had finally prevailed.

Her solicitor, Matthew Jury, said in a statement after today's ruling that the victims' relatives invite the Government to meet them to "ensure it never fails them or other victims or veterans again".

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Mr Jury said: "Sarahjane Young was made a victim three times over.

"The first time by the IRA and John Downey when they detonated the bomb that killed her father.

"The second when a 'catastrophic failure' by the British government led to Downey being issued an 'on-the-run-letter'.

"The third when Downey's criminal trial collapsed as a result.

Devastated

"Sarahjane, and the families here today, were told they'd never get justice, that they should put the past behind them and move on.

"They, and thousands whose lives were devastated by the IRA, are the forgotten victims.

"Yesterday, many responsible for the most awful acts of terrorism on British soil were living out their days in peaceful retirement, believing they would never be held to account for their crimes. But justice has prevailed."

Mr Jury, of law firm McCue & Partners, added: "Today, 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 and will and must be done.

"And they invite the British Government to meet with them to ensure it never fails them or other victims or veterans again."

Mark Tipper, whose brother Trooper Simon Tipper was killed in the atrocity, said of the Government: "They need to meet us victims, because they don't know how we feel."

He added: "I will say to ministers, please meet victims, ask us how we feel, ask us what you can do to help us."

Collapsed

Ms Young, who has suffered psychiatric harm as a result of the bombing that killed her father, was just four years old at the time and in nursery at the barracks when she saw wounded soldiers returning.

Downey, from Co Donegal, did not play any part in the trial but filed a written defence denying any involvement in the attack.

The criminal case against him dramatically collapsed after it was revealed that he had received a written assurance from former prime minister Tony Blair's government - under the terms of the controversial "On The Runs" scheme - that he was no longer wanted.

Trial judge Mr Justice Sweeney ruled that Downey's arrest at Gatwick Airport, as he passed through the UK on the way to a holiday in 2013, represented an abuse of process and he put a stay on any future prosecution.

Mrs Justice Yip said Downey should not have received the assurance, but did so because of a "catastrophic failure" and therefore believed he could travel freely to the UK without facing prosecution.

She said the civil case against him could go ahead, despite being brought so many years after the atrocity and therefore after the normal legal deadline.

The judge said if the case had not proceeded because of that technicality, Downey would have avoided the court's determination on the evidence, having already avoided a criminal trial due to "an error on the part of the state".

The civil action against Downey was brought after the collapse of the criminal trial.

The relatives initially asked for help with legal fees through crowdfunding after being refused legal aid five times, but it was revealed in February last year that they had been granted public funding to pursue the case.

Downey is currently in prison in Northern Ireland, facing a criminal prosecution for a car bomb attack which killed Ulster Defence Regiment members Alfred Johnston and James Eames in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, in 1972.

No date was set for the second stage of the case, which will determine the amount of damages to be awarded.