*Violet-Anne Wynne. Photograph: John Mangan

Newly elected Clare TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (SF) has stood by her remarks supporting the release of alleged IRA bomber John Downey on bail over a month ago.

Donegal native John Downey was in December 2019 named as an “active participant” in the 1982 IRA bombings in London’s Hyde Park that killed four people and injured 31 others.

On July 20, 1982, a car bomb left in South Carriage Drive ultimately killed four soldiers as they paraded from their barracks to Buckingham Palace. Lieutenant Dennis Daly, 23, and Trooper Simon Tipper, 19, died at the scene, while Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Roy Bright, 36, and Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young, 19, died within days after the attack. Seven horses had to be put down subsequently.

Downey was originally charged in 2013 for his involvement with the incident, but the case fell apart the following year when it was revealed that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had issued Downey a letter in 2007 as part of the ‘On The Run Scheme’ that assured Downey he would not be prosecuted. The letter was issued in error, but the judge at the time said the case could not proceed. This prompted Sarah-Jane Young, daughter of Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young to bring civil action against the sixty seven year old.

Speaking on December 18th in London, presiding Justice Yip stated, “This was a deliberate, carefully planned attack on members of the military. I have found that the defendant was an active participant in the concerted plan to detonate the bomb, with the intent to kill or at least to cause serious harm to members of the Household Cavalry.”

Two days later, bail was granted for Downey by Mr Justice McAlinden who confirmed that a £225,000 cash surety was to be lodged before he is released. Mr Downey is to live at a Belfast property under curfew and is banned from leaving Northern Ireland. He must also surrender any passports and report regularly to police as part of the conditions.

In a tweet on December 20th, Violet-Anne Wynne posted, “John Downey out on bail, about time too. Enjoy your Christmas comrade”. Elected off the back of 8,987 first preference votes in the General Election, the Kilrush woman stood by her comments when contacted by The Clare Echo.

“John Downey has been a supporter of the peace process over many years. I welcomed the fact that he got bail after numerous attempts in December because he is 67 and in ill health. He should be at home with his family in Donegal, not facing trial for charges that he have been dealt with in the courts previously,” Wynne stated.

Advertisement

Related News

rineen ns 1
11 Clare schools removed from Hot School Meals scheme
green cross pharmacy killaloe
Two men arrested who drove into Garda car after series of burglaries in Killaloe & Roscrea
gerardine joe quinlivan 1
Springfield residents can sleep soundly as flooding nightmare ends
ambulance coast guard scariff 1
Bodyke hurler recovering after picking up head injury which forced abandonment of game vs Whitegate
Latest News
mikey o'neill sean kennedy 1-2
O'Neill rolls back the years to nab player of the week
clonlara v crusheen 23-08-25 oisin o'brien breffni horner 1
'We left it behind us against The Bridge' - Crusheen reflect on latest championship crusade
green cross pharmacy killaloe
Two men arrested who drove into Garda car after series of burglaries in Killaloe & Roscrea
naomh eoin v liscannor 03-08-25 darren nagle 1
Liscannor extend life in intermediate ranks & send Ennistymon into relegation decider
gerardine joe quinlivan 1
Springfield residents can sleep soundly as flooding nightmare ends
Premium
st josephs miltown vs doonbeg 30-08-25 conor cleary darragh burns 1
Miltown down Doonbeg and march onto quarter-finals
kildysart v kilmihil 29-08-25 conall casey stan lineen 1
Kildysart produce extra time kick to seal senior status & leave Kilmihil in relegation final
feakle v newmarket-on-fergus 08-08-25 oisin donnellan 1
'Next man up' the focus in Feakle despite injury crisis
Shannon, Ireland, June
Shannon will not receive 15 extra Gardaí despite claims of Govt TDs
Springfield3
€5.2m Springfield flood relief scheme 'makes fear & devastation of flooding a thing of the past' in Clonlara

Advertisement

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.