Urgent Trial of Ex-Soldier Begins for Bloody Sunday Murders

UPDATE: The long-awaited trial of a former British soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday is set to commence today at Belfast Crown Court. Known only as Soldier F, he faces charges for the deaths of James Wray and William McKinney, occurring during a tragic incident where 13 civil rights protesters were shot dead in Derry on January 30, 1972.

This trial has significant implications as it revisits one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Soldier F is also charged with five counts of attempted murder related to the same incident, involving victims such as Joseph Friel and Michael Quinn. He has pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.

The atmosphere is charged as families of the victims gather outside the court. They are expected to march together in solidarity, supported by a large group of advocates for justice. Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney, expressed his emotions ahead of the trial, stating, “We’re here now, at last, after all this time. It’s not nervousness, it’s anticipation more so.”

The events of Bloody Sunday have been widely recognized as unjustified, as confirmed by the landmark Saville Inquiry in 2010, which led then-prime minister David Cameron to issue a public apology for the killings, which were deemed “unjustified and unjustifiable.” This inquiry overturned the findings of the earlier Widgery Tribunal, which had suggested that soldiers acted in self-defense.

In a dramatic turn, the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service (PPS) initially halted the prosecution of Soldier F in 2021, expressing concerns that key evidence could lead to a collapse of the case. This decision followed the failure of a separate trial against other veterans accused of murder during the Troubles. However, the McKinney family challenged the PPS’s decision in court, resulting in the resumption of the prosecution.

Today marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing quest for justice, as families and supporters await the court’s proceedings. The trial will be presided over by judge Patrick Lynch, and the eyes of the nation are fixed on Belfast as this significant case unfolds.

As the trial begins, the emotional weight of the past hangs heavy, with families seeking closure more than five decades after the tragic events of Bloody Sunday. With the courtroom set to hear testimony regarding the actions of Soldier F and the broader implications of military conduct during the Troubles, this case is poised to resonate deeply across communities still healing from the scars of history.

What happens next: Court proceedings are expected to draw significant media coverage, and the outcome may shape public perceptions and future legal actions related to the Northern Ireland conflict. Stay tuned for updates as this crucial trial progresses.