Former head of the British Army and adjutant of the Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday Mike Jackson has died aged 80.
Jackson was adjutant of the Parachute Regiment’s 1st battalion and was present in Derry on January 30 1972, when the regiment opened fire and shot dead 13 people during a civil rights march.
The former paratrooper later issued a “fulsome apology” for the events of Bloody Sunday following publication of the Saville Inquiry, which found that none of the soldiers fired in response to attacks, contrary to previous claims from the paratroopers.
He acknowledged following the report that the thirteen people had been killed “without justification”.
Jackson later went on to lead the British Army during its invasion of Iraq in 2003.
In a statement, the British Army said Jackson had “served with distinction” for 40 years.
“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of General Sir Mike Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, on 15 October surrounded by his family,” the social media statement said.
“General ‘Jacko’ served with distinction for over 40 years, finishing his career as Chief of the General Staff.
“He will be greatly missed, and long remembered.”
Tony Doherty, Chairperson of the Bloody Sunday Trust, said the families of those who lost their lives in the Bogside would not mourn the former paratrooper’s death.
Mr Doherty said: “On behalf of the Bloody Sunday families and many other families who’ve had loved ones murdered by the British army; there will be no grieving the loss of this man. He knowingly ordered the execution of many innocent people and should have been in the international dock for war crimes.”
