Four Army veterans facing prosecution over shootings in Belfast more than 50 years ago may mount legal bids to halt the cases against them, a court heard today.
One of the accused, referred to as Soldier F, has been charged with the murder of Patrick McVeigh at the height of the Troubles.
He is further charged with the attempted murder of four other people during the same incident on May 13, 1972. Three of his former military colleagues, identified only as Soldiers B, C and D, are also jointly charged with attempting to murder another two men in a separate incident a day earlier.
The defendants were part of an undercover Army unit known as the Military Reaction Force (MRF) which operated in Belfast at the time.
All four ex-servicemen were due to appear at the city’s Magistrates Court today for the first stage in the criminal proceedings.
But defence lawyers disclosed that they may attempt to have the cases halted before they reach trial.
Patrick McVeigh, a father of six, was shot at the junction of Finaghy Road North and Riverdale Park South.
He had reportedly stopped to speak to those manning a civilian checkpoint when the gunfire began.
Patricia McVeigh spoke to the media outside Laganside court in Belfast, on Wednesday.
by threebodysolution
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[Ex-British soldier charged with murder of Patrick McVeigh](https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0319/1502865-patrick-mcveigh-murder/)
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