A former paratrooper has been cleared of two murders during the Bloody Sunday shootings in 1972.
The veteran, referred to as Soldier F for legal reasons, was found not guilty of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney during disorder after a civil rights parade in Londonderry on January 30 1972.
Some 13 people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on that day.
Soldier F was also cleared of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick O’Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.
He had pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.
Judge Patrick Lynch heard evidence across a five-week trial which included statements by two of Soldier F’s colleagues.
Soldier F has been present at Belfast Crown Court for each day of the trial with his identify concealed behind a curtain in the court room.
Relatives of the men killed and supporters have attended each day of the trial.
More to follow
by SpottedAlpaca
38 comments
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Fucking murdering cunt.
That was the last chance at any justice for 13 civilians being gunned down. The usual suspects out celebrating this of course, this place will never work for as long as there is so much bitterness
We all know in our hearts he’s guilty. An acquittal from a juryless British court is not justice.
Hopefully in a united Ireland we can drag him back in to face another trial (and the appropriate punishment) like we continue to do with Nazi war criminals 70 years after the conflict ended.
Absolute fucking disgrace.
Lol some justice system we have, fuck me. You can start shooting and not be held accountable.
One British state representative finds another not guilty without a jury. We all knew this was coming
This should finally put to bed the ‘Troubles legacy’ horseshit that’s been propagated upon us by the British colonial apparatus for years.
Absolutely sickening. Love to the Bloody Sunday families.
If he’s been cleared then she should be named officially.
Disgusting. A serial killer gets to walk free. Dave Cleary should be spending the rest of his life in jail.
13 local civilians dead and buried, and fellow countrymen are celebrating the fact that noone has been found guilty of it.
Muppets.
Dave can rot in hell
I’m not going to pretend to be expert on this case, I know I am woefully ignorant on it all and I have no intention on insulting or misleading anybody.
What I want to say though is this verdict has come because judge believed the evidence presented wasn’t credible enough to find the defendant guilty.
In science we would call such a result “inconclusive” rather than a final, definitive answer. Just wanted to present that as any calls to label this as an exoneration or confirmation of innocence isn’t factual.
EDIT: Why am I getting downvoted? I’m not saying I agree with the verdict. I don’t even know if the evidence was credible or not. All I’m saying is the verdict has come from a place of “there isn’t enough here to definitively say guilty” rather than “the defense has proven innocence beyond reasonable doubt”.
Hope he burns in hell
In what world is the shooting dead of someone in the street, one officially recognized as a civilian, not considered murder?
Unsurprising verdict but still depressing. Yet another stain on what remains of the soul of the British State.
In today’s right wing reactionary climate they were never going to convict one of their own and risk the backlash. Purely political verdict. This place remains a two tier sectarian state, it’s just not as overt.
As far as British justice is concerned the dead all just fell on some bullets.
all they want to do is protect the british lmao.
Heartbreaking. How can anyone who leans nationalist have any confidence in the British state after this? Shameful
Very sad. I just hope there really is a heaven and hell so justice will be served that way and this reprehensible man will get what he deserves then.
The poor families know the truth, not that that is any consolation for them today. My thoughts are with them.
Omfg……. This is disgraceful
The slow waltz continues
In my opinion he should have been locked but he shouldn’t be the main culprit
Main culprit should be your man Jackson died recently, and whatever government ministers who enforced that British policy over here, throw the PM at the time in too
End of day he is a scumbag but he was a foot soldier following orders
Inevitable, unfortunately. The main barrier to justice here is following the trail as to just how high the order went to open fire on civilians. That will never be released.
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Your family member was shot dead. The reckless ~~Murderer~~ Killer is in the same room as you hiding behind fabric / curtain.
How do you feel?
Imagine , as in, visualize what that is like. You walking into a modern courtroom, bright , light wood, formal, and there’s a curtain with the guy right there.
You are supposed to be here for justice, yet you can’t even be allowed to see the reckless and flawed human who stole the life of your family and destroyed your life from that day onward.
You are supposed to be here for justice, yet deep down you know that is a lie and this whole thing feels like a clown show.
**That’s literally an introduction to hell.**
I fully endorse riots
> Speaking outside court after the verdict, Mickey McKinney, who lost his 26-year-old brother William on Bloody Sunday, says “today marks the end of prosecution of Soldier F for murder and attempted murder of the innocents on Bloody Sunday”.
>”The families and wounded and their supporters leave this courthouse with an incredible sense of pride of our achievements.”
Even after all this bollix, these people still have more class and deceny then David fucking Johnstone and the RUC. Its so admirable
This is the least surprising verdict ever. Everyone knew from day one that they were never going to find him guilty.
British establishment doing what the British establishment always does
Well this puts to bed any chance of a “Truth recovery” commission existing.
Who could trust the British state to be honest when they will literally shoot civilians and deny justice to the victims?
If anybody asks me why I’m not wearing a Poppy (I live in England & the appeal started today) they’d better be prepared for some weapons-grade swearing. Won’t stop me spending time in silence on Armistice day & remembering my own & others forefathers – both British & Irish – the poor bloody conscripts led by donkeys.
Happy National Poppy launch day. Remember who the money goes to for War Christmas
Absolutely fucking outrageous. The british state is a terrorist organisation. No such thing as british justice.
genuinely upset at this news but not surprised. it fills me with anger that all of the people responsible will get to die of old age. yet another instance of british justice prevailing.
The British state is rotten to the core
This is just another example in a never ending list
This is disgusting and I am puzzled how this verdict has been reached
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