The NI Legacy Bill

[David McKeown]

Government spent more than £4m on defence of Soldier F

There was never going to be any prosecution, absolutely sickening.

Sickening is right.

I agree but who do you think is paying for the legal representatives of the the victim's families?  All no doubt would be pensioners so highly likely all funded by legal aid therefore the Government is paying everyone's costs.  In the case of the Soldier F no doubt the Government through a lot of resources at it and from what I can see the Bloody Sunday families did not employ the service of some randomn Solicitor in Derry either.

While there is no certainty regarding justice / closure for anyone there is certainty re legal fees.

The quoted figure as I understand it is for all legal representation since the Saville enquiry and not just for this trial. There would have been some legal aid for the families during that time but not an awful lot. I can't see why they would have had for this trial.

[gallsman]

What do you mean no prosecution? There's just been a trial FFS. No conviction?

Sure have a meltdown why don't you, yeah no conviction, my bad humblest apologies to the guardian of this board for my inappropriate use of the English language whilst being outraged about 4.3 million of taxpayers money being used to defend someone who everyone knows shot and killed innocent folk with impunity.

EDIT: They did try their very best for no prosecution, doubt there will be any more even on the perjury charge.

Yeah imagine querying someone saying something but meaning something completely different.

[Munchie]

Imagine someone querying it like a w**ker - would you have used FFS if someone was talking to you face to face, or maybe say sorry you obviously mean conviction I take it, but sure you're the man here.

[gallsman]

Well no, you didn't "obviously" mean anything, hence the query. I mean, they're quite significantly different concepts with different implications.

My apologies for using "FFS". I didn't realise your feelings would be so hurt by it. You see, it's that BS, as I'm sure you're aware, is a very, very emotive topic. The discussion of this particular legal case needs to be calm, composed and factual. Not further complicated by hysterical idiots who don't know what they're talking about.

[Munchie]

So I am a hysterical idiot now but you're still the man, noted.