Paratrooper known as 'Soldier F' not guilty of Bloody Sunday murders

A former paratrooper accused of murdering two civilians in the Bloody Sunday shootings in Northern Ireland 53 years ago has been found not guilty.

Soldier F - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - was accused of killing James Wray and William McKinney during disorder after a civil rights parade on 30 January 1972 in Londonderry, also known as Derry.

The veteran was also found not guilty of five attempted murders at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday.

He had denied all seven charges.

Thirteen people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on the day in question.

Soldier F did not give evidence, but the court heard about previous statements from two paratroopers - known as G and H - who were in Glenfada Park North along with F.

The prosecution said their testimony was direct evidence that the defendant had opened fire in the area.

Bloody Sunday victims (top, l-r) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John "Jackie" Duddy and Gerald Donaghey, (bottom l-r) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young
Image: Bloody Sunday victims (top, l-r) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John "Jackie" Duddy and Gerald Donaghey, (bottom l-r) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young

However, the defence argued that they were unreliable witnesses as their statements were inconsistent with each other and with other witnesses who gave evidence.

The trial was held in Belfast in front of a judge, not a jury.

Delivering his judgment, Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran fell "well short" of what was needed for conviction.

Noting the judgement, a government spokesperson said: "The MOD has provided legal and welfare support throughout, as it does for any veteran involved in a legal process arising from their duties.

"This case is part of the complex legacy of the Troubles, which affected so many families and communities.

"We are committed to finding a way forward that acknowledges the past, whilst supporting those who served their country during an incredibly difficult period in Northern Ireland's history."

In the packed public gallery there was no visible reaction from relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims or those there to support the former paratrooper.

Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney, one of those killed on Bloody Sunday, said outside court: "The families and wounded and our supporters leave this courthouse with an incredible sense of pride in our achievements."

The Bloody Sunday families don't blame the trial judge, he said, adding "the blame lies firmly with the British state, with the RUC who failed to investigate the murders on Bloody Sunday properly, or indeed at all; and with the British Army who shielded and enabled its soldiers to continue to murder with impunity.

"Soldier F "has been discharged from the defendant's criminal dock, but it is one million miles away from being an honourable discharge."

Veterans will welcome the acquittal, Northern Ireland veterans commissioner David Johnstone has said.

"It has become increasingly clear that the admissibility of certain types of evidence, particularly those based on decades old recollections, remains deeply problematic," Mr Johnstone said.

"Soldier F has faced legal scrutiny in various forms for more than a quarter of a century, and it is my hope that today's ruling by Judge Lynch brings that long and arduous process to a close.

Paul Young, national spokesman for the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, said veterans would be "heartened by this verdict today".

As people gathered outside the court shouted over him, he said: "I hope that there is no more soldiers brought to the courts here with evidence that has actually no way of going through".

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