Families of Bloody Sunday Victims Reject Mourning for Jackson

The recent death of General Sir Mike Jackson, former head of the British Army and captain during the Bloody Sunday incident in 1972, has stirred significant controversy. Families of the victims, including John Kelly, brother of one of the deceased, expressed heartbreak that Jackson was never held accountable for his role in the killings, which claimed 14 lives during a civil rights demonstration. Chair of the Bloody Sunday Trust, Tony Doherty, stated that there would be no mourning for Jackson among the families, emphasizing his responsibility for 'wreaking havoc' during the Troubles. Jackson did acknowledge the unjust killings in a 2011 apology following the Saville Inquiry, which exonerated the victims. While the British Army praised Jackson as a great leader, local families and advocates have condemned his legacy, asserting that his actions warrant remembrance with revulsion. The conflicting perspectives highlight the deep scars left by the events of Bloody Sunday, often considered a pivotal moment in Northern Ireland's troubled history.