Relatives of four British soldiers killed in the Hyde Park bombing are seeking “substantial damages” from Donegal man John Downey, a member of the IRA who was convicted for the blast.
Downey (68), who has an address in Creeslough, was found to be an “active participant” in the IRA attack on four Royal Household Cavalrymen in July 1982.
Families of the murdered military members are asking the High Court to award damages to “mark society’s condemnation” of the bombers.
Squadron Quartermaster Cpl Roy Bright, aged 36, Lt Dennis Daly, aged 23, Trooper Simon Tipper, aged 19, and L/Cpl Jeffrey Young, aged 19 were killed by a car bomb packed with nails as they rode past on their way to the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
BBC News reports that the victim’s families have brought the civil action against John Downey after a criminal case collapsed at the Old Bailey in 2014.
A remote High Court hearing began in the UK today and is expected to last until Thursday, after which Mr Justice Martin Spencer will consider how much compensation the families of the victims should be awarded.
Downey did not play any part in the trial but filed a written defence denying any involvement in the attack.