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.
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.”
The family of one of those killed on Bloody Sunday, William McKinney, said through its solicitor: “Soldier F “has been discharged from the defendant’s criminal dock, but it is one million miles away from being an honourable discharge.”
In a statement read outside court, they said the Bloody Sunday families don’t blame the trial judge, but the British state, the RUC, the British Army the then Director of Public Prosecutions and the parachute regiment.
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