# UK government to pay compensation to Bloody Sunday families **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 22, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223 "2011-09-22T18:10:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/21 "2011-09-23T16:23:53Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > I wonder how many Brits know what “88 Seconds in Greensboro” is about. As a single data point, I can say I don’t know what that refers to. Nor do I know what Kent State refers to either. I had to google both but then they were a little before my adult time. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/22 "2011-09-23T16:46:06Z")
It should be remembered that the British army were called in to protect the Nationalists frmo the Unionists were were actually welcomed by the Catholic community. To me, the greater responsibility for all this comes from the Unionists, the NI police force were seriously compromised in terms of credibility, being as they were all from the Unionist community. One thing that has helped things considerably was the reduction of the hold of the Catholic church in Ireland, it was this as much as anything that was used as the fuel by the Paisley’s and other extremist Unionists as a reason to keep ‘loyal’ Its pretty likely that Britain would have walked away any time had it not been for the deliberate fuelling of hostilities by both Unionists and the IRA. Most of us were pretty sick of the whole thing, our solders were dragged into defending the Unionist reprobates, its a pity they were not taken out and shot. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/23 "2011-09-23T19:34:42Z")
Are the Fenian traitor, fascist-communist terrorist scum gonna pay for the people they killed? ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/24 "2011-09-23T19:39:11Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Are the Fenian traitor, fascist-communist terrorist scum gonna pay for the people they killed? You should really try and limit yourself to one “-ist” per post. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/25 "2011-09-23T20:50:57Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Are the Fenian traitor, fascist-communist terrorist scum gonna pay for the people they killed? As a (non practicing) Catholic Brit with really not distant at all roots in Northern Ireland, I think I reflect the views of most in the UK in saying that we just want it all to be over and if enough people retain attitudes like this it really is not going to help. And thankfully it does appear to be on it’s way to being over, mainly due to enough people pitting aside their prejudices and not resorting to attitudes likes yours. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/26 "2011-09-23T22:03:52Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Are the Fenian traitor, fascist-communist terrorist scum gonna pay for the people they killed? No, of course not. They were criminals to begin with and criminals now. They are unlikely to change and most are impervious to the grief of their victims. That’s how they were able to do what they did in the first place. None of the paramilitary factions will spare a single penny for their victims and it will be many long years before we hear a word of apology from any of them. One would have to be astonishingly naive to think otherwise. That is why it takes cooler and calmer heads to decide enough is enough. Tempting though it is to seek full retribution and vengeance, that’ll get us nowhere other than right back into the mire. We are now living with an adult generation spared the horrors of the past and it is very unlikely that they would choose to revisit them, nor risk sparking them off again by a stubborn refusal to move on. And look, serious subjects deserve serious debate. If this is a drive-by posting then please continue to drive on. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/27 "2011-09-23T22:12:00Z")
> [@casdave](#): > > Its pretty likely that Britain would have walked away any time had it not been for the deliberate fuelling of hostilities by both Unionists and the IRA. Most of us were pretty sick of the whole thing, our solders were dragged into defending the Unionist reprobates, its a pity they were not taken out and shot. This is true and something I think the Republicans could never quite believe. I’m sure there are some, but I have yet to meet any GB citizen who thought the unionist terrorists were anything other than murdering scum. We hated the IRA because they blew us up, but we hated the Unionists as well because they were no better…in fact possibly worse because by draping themselves in our colours they suggested we condoned their actions and I really never felt that we did. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/28 "2011-09-24T00:20:01Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Are the Fenian traitor, fascist-communist terrorist scum gonna pay for the people they killed? Thanks for taking a steaming big shit in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/29 "2011-09-24T00:29:36Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > No, of course not. They were criminals to begin with and criminals now. They are unlikely to change and most are impervious to the grief of their victims. That’s how they were able to do what they did in the first place. > None of the paramilitary factions will spare a single penny for their victims and it will be many long years before we hear a word of **apology** from any of them. IRA statement from 2002 > [@](#): > > "Sunday 21 July marks the 30th anniversary of an IRA operation in Belfast in 1972 which resulted in nine people being killed and many more injured. > > While it was not our intention to injure or kill non-combatants, the reality is that on this and on a number of other occasions, that was the consequence of our actions. > > It is therefore appropriate on the anniversary of this tragic event, that we address all of the deaths and injuries of non-combatants caused by us. > > We offer our sincere apologies and condolences to their families. > > There have been fatalities amongst combatants on all sides. We also acknowledge the grief and pain of their relatives. > > The future will not be found in denying collective failures and mistakes or closing minds and hearts to the plight of those who have been hurt. That includes all of the victims of the conflict, combatants and non-combatants. > > It will not be achieved by creating a hierarchy of victims in which some are deemed more or less worthy than others. > > The process of conflict resolution requires the equal acknowledgement of the grief and loss of others. On this anniversary, we are endeavouring to fulfil this responsibility to those we have hurt. > > The IRA is committed unequivocally to the search for freedom, justice and peace in Ireland. > > We remain totally committed to the peace process and to dealing with the challenges and difficulties which this presents. This includes the acceptance of past mistakes and of the hurt and pain we have caused to others. And for balance, from the Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) Ceasefire Statement, 13 October 1994 > [@](#): > > In all sincerity, we offer to the loved ones of all innocent victims over the past twenty years, abject and true remorse. No words of ours will compensate for the intolerable suffering they have undergone during the conflict. I do think it unlikely that the IRA or UVF etc. will pay compensation to victims. Funnily enough Colonel Gaddafi offered to pay £2 billion in compensation to victims of republican bombings that used Libyan supplied semtex. I don’t know if any of that money was ever paid. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/30 "2011-09-24T00:35:49Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Are the Fenian traitor, fascist-communist terrorist scum gonna pay for the people they killed? Just to say also that in this context “Fenian” is a sectarian epithet used for Catholics. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/31 "2011-09-24T01:23:39Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Are the Fenian traitor, fascist-communist terrorist scum gonna pay for the people they killed? You know, ISTR that you were supposedly diagnosed with Asperger’s, so I realize you might have a hard time picking up on social cues and such, but free pointer: if when you open your mouth, everybody around you lifts their eyes to the ceiling in unison, that is not a good sign. Might want to take the time to specifically look around for such a sign next time you’re uttering something like this gem in mixed company. Because there is no :rolleyes: enough for your statement. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/32 "2011-09-24T06:34:30Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > They attacked the British army barricade with stones. Throwing stones at British army and RUC members was a nationalist pastime in the North. It is not credible, in the context, that this would have put the soldiers in fear for their lives. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/33 "2011-09-24T07:32:00Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > IRA statement from 2002 > > And for balance, from the Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) Ceasefire Statement, 13 October 1994 > > I do think it unlikely that the IRA or UVF etc. will pay compensation to victims. Funnily enough Colonel Gaddafi offered to pay £2 billion in compensation to victims of republican bombings that used Libyan supplied semtex. I don’t know if any of that money was ever paid. Thanks for those. I didn’t know about those statements and I’m surprised and heartened by their frankness. It just bolsters my opinion that we are unlikely to ever slide back into serious conflict. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/34 "2011-09-24T09:24:19Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > …And look, serious subjects deserve serious debate. If this is a drive-by posting then please continue to drive on. As Little Curtis pedals away in his kiddie car… ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/35 "2011-09-24T09:45:59Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > As Little Curtis pedals away in his kiddie car… I now have a lovely mental image of that, complete with one of those little hats with propellers on. (so much for trying to keep it serious) ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/36 "2011-09-24T12:29:06Z")
> [@ruadh](#): > > Throwing stones at British army and RUC members was a nationalist pastime in the North. It is not credible, in the context, that this would have put the soldiers in fear for their lives. It was name calling that got them firing. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/37 "2011-09-24T23:06:53Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > As a (non practicing) Catholic Brit with really not distant at all roots in Northern Ireland, I think I reflect the views of most in the UK in saying that we just want it all to be over and if enough people retain attitudes like this it really is not going to help. > > And thankfully it does appear to be on it’s way to being over, mainly due to enough people pitting aside their prejudices and not resorting to attitudes likes yours. I’m not hateful towards anyone-I’m just pointing out the double standard where the British government is forced to apologize and pay for all of its stupid or immoral actions while the IRA is not. > [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > No, of course not. They were criminals to begin with and criminals now. They are unlikely to change and most are impervious to the grief of their victims. That’s how they were able to do what they did in the first place. > None of the paramilitary factions will spare a single penny for their victims and it will be many long years before we hear a word of apology from any of them. > > One would have to be astonishingly naive to think otherwise. That is why it takes cooler and calmer heads to decide enough is enough. Tempting though it is to seek full retribution and vengeance, that’ll get us nowhere other than right back into the mire. > > We are now living with an adult generation spared the horrors of the past and it is very unlikely that they would choose to revisit them, nor risk sparking them off again by a stubborn refusal to move on. > > And look, serious subjects deserve serious debate. If this is a drive-by posting then please continue to drive on. I don’t support vengence-I support justice. Are you implying we should avoid prosecuting criminals for political reasons? > [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Just to say also that in this context “Fenian” is a sectarian epithet used for Catholics. Sorry I thought Fenian meant just the IRA-lot. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/38 "2011-09-24T23:14:50Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > I’m not hateful towards anyone-I’m just pointing out the double standard where the British government is forced to apologize and pay for all of its stupid or immoral actions while the IRA is not. Because they are an official entity, supposed to be operating under the LAW, while the IRA is not? ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/39 "2011-09-24T23:28:26Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Because they are an official entity, supposed to be operating under the LAW, while the IRA is not? And yet they are considered a party in negotiations just like a political party (I mean the IRA groups not Sinn Fein or the political parties) rather than simply a terrorist group that deserves to be persecuted and wiped off from the face of the Earth. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223/40 "2011-09-24T23:31:57Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > And yet they are considered a party in negotiations just like a political party (I mean the IRA groups not Sinn Fein or the political parties) rather than simply a terrorist group that deserves to be persecuted and wiped off from the face of the Earth. What has the British government been doing, if not trying to find the people committing terrorist acts for the IRA and “forcing” them to apologize? Another angle: do you think the British government should not have apologized or attempted to make amends for bloody Sunday? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-government-to-pay-compensation-to-bloody-sunday-families/597223.md?page=3)