Veterans tell republicans: Face the justice you demand from us

That was the message from a number of former Armed Forces members, who staged a gathering close to the headquarters of the PPS on Wednesday, spurred on by the recent focus on bringing Troubles-era prosecutions against ex-personnel.

The small demonstration lasted probably about 40 minutes, and saw half-a-dozen demonstrators unfurl banners on Belfast’s Chichester Street plaza.

Phil McLernon, 47 and originally from the north coast, was among those present.

He had been a member of the Royal Engineers and the RIR, and – clad in a Royal British Legion top – handed out leaflets to everyone from wig-wearing barristers to a lady in a hijab as they passed to and fro in front of the courts.

The leaflets said that ex-soldiers had tolerated “hate”, “threats”, “risks”, and the loss of their comrades – but would not tolerate a “witch hunt”.

“We see people like [IRA bomber-turned-MLA] Gerry Kelly calling for justice, calling for equality, et cetera et cetera – all the while with a pardon from Her Majesty the Queen tucked in his back pocket,” he told the News Letter.

“What we would say [is] if you’ve broken the law, absolutely you should face the consequences.

“But what we can’t have is the imbalance of republicans with on-the-run letters, with royal pardons, calling for the same thing... they can’t have their cake and eat it, and the playing field ultimately has got to be levelled.”

Gesturing to the courthouse behind him, he said republicans should “hand in their royal prerogatives, hand in their on-the-run letters, and take their chances in places like this, where everybody else has to take their chances and face the law.”

The demonstrators were angered in particular by the prosecution of Dennis Hutchings, a 76-year-old ex-soldier from Cornwall, who is facing an attempted murder charge in relation to a 1974 killing.

Despite a judge stating that he should be tried for attempted GBH, the PPS is pressing for him still to be tried for attempted murder.

Mel Brown, 50 and from just outside Belfast, was formerly with the UDR and RIR said the PPS had “gone out on a limb” to try and make sure Hutchings would face the more serious charge.

It was put to her that at the heart of the Hutchings case lay a dead civilian – John Pat Cunningham, shot near Benburb in Co Tyrone.

She responded that there “has to be equality in everything”.

She said that the dangers faced by soldiers during the era should also be taken into account, adding: “These were young soldiers. They were human beings.

“We were actually trying to stay alive as well.

“Everything needs to be taken into consideration.”

She added: “There were incidents where I was close to being snuffed, and I never got any answers.

“I didn’t know who was involved in it. Were they ever charged?

“And they’ll live with me to the day I die I don’t feel I’ve received any justice.”

Jim McCaw, 62 and from Carrickfergus, was with the UDR, RIR and Royal Artillery.

“The reason I’m here today is I feel that Armed Forces groups aren’t getting enough justice,” he said.

“And what I mean by that is, we’ve people like – for example – Gerry Kelly, who’s got a pardon from the Queen. He’s always going on about equality. Why does he not hand his letter in?

“Also after the Good Friday Agreement, paramilitaries were given special status – as in, reduced sentences, gates opened and let out. The armed forces didn’t get anything.

“All we want is parity of esteem, equality – same as everyone else.”

In 2015 it was revealed Kelly was given a royal pardon in the mid-’80s for his role in the Old Bailey Bombing, as part of a deal to secure his extradition from Holland to the UK.

Referring to Gerry Adams’ infamous 1995 remark that the IRA “haven’t gone away”, he said: “We’ll not go away. As the wee man with the beard, who wasn’t in the IRA, said: ‘We’re not going away’.”

Angela Barnes, 48, and from outside Belfast, had been with 8 UDR and 8 Royal Irish.

She said: “What brought me out today is the complete injustice that is being served against Dennis Hutchings.”

Speaking of the reinstatement of the attempted murder charge, she said “as far as I’m concerned, that is not justice”.

She added: “We believe the UDR and RIR and RUC will be next. Sinn Fein are not going to stop this witch hunt.”

As the protest wound down, Mr McLernon said passers-by had been “very receptive” – which was “heart-warming”.

“If a few more members of the public or legal profession get their eyes opened to what’s happening in front of them, that’s got to be positive.”

Asked about the reinstatement of the Hutchings charge, the PPS had initially said: “All decisions are taken in strict accordance with the PPS Code for Prosecutors.”

And following criticism of the move, a PPS spokesperson added: “While there has been some political commentary over the recent period, political considerations play no part in any decision taken by the PPS.

“Our decision-making is fair, independent and impartial and is not influenced by improper or undue pressure from any source, in line with the Code for Prosecutors.”