Prime suspect in Hyde Park bombing to face court in victory for victims’ families and The Sun
John Downey, 66, has been ordered to attend the first hearing of a civil claim against him at London’s High Court on October 30
THE prime suspect in the IRA Hyde Park bombing will face court next month in a huge victory for the victims’ families and The Sun.
John Downey, 66, has been ordered to attend the first hearing of a civil claim against him at London’s High Court on October 30.
It comes 18 months after we joined forces with the bombing victims’ families to launch the Hyde Park Justice campaign to get legal aid for the action.
Downey’s 2014 Old Bailey trial collapsed because he had been wrongly assured by police that he would not face criminal action. He denies being responsible for the attack.
It was unclear if he will attend in person — but if he or his lawyers fail to turn up at all, it may harm any defence.
SarahJane Young, 40, daughter of victim Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young, said: “I’m so pleased we’ve finally got a court date.
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“It’s been a long road and this is just the latest step.
“But to get to this point is a big moment.”
The 1982 IRA attack on the Household Cavalry’s barracks killed L/Cpl Young, 19, and three colleagues. A further 31 were injured and seven horses were killed.