Bloody Sunday: Soldier F trial judge rejects bid to dismiss case

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The case against Soldier F, accused of murdering two individuals during the Bloody Sunday incident in Londonderry back in January 1972, faced a setback as a judge dismissed a plea to have it dismissed. Soldier F, who refutes all allegations, is currently on trial at Belfast Crown Court for the deaths of James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, among others, which occurred during a civil rights demonstration in the Bogside area of the city. In addition to the murder charges, he also faces five attempted murder charges.

Soldier F’s defense team argued that key witness evidence was unreliable and could potentially result in an unjust conviction, leading to the application for a dismissal of the case. However, Judge Patrick Lynch rejected this plea, ensuring that the trial would progress as planned. The judge’s decision came after considering statements made by Soldier G and Soldier H, with the prosecution emphasizing the importance of these statements despite the defense’s claim that they were flawed.

Despite the defense’s efforts, the judge upheld the admissibility of the statements by Soldier G and Soldier H, ultimately denying the request for a not guilty verdict. Soldier F, a former British soldier who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, was unable to testify in his own defense. The case, being heard by a judge without a jury, continues to unfold, with Soldier F’s identity protected by an interim court order.

Soldier F’s prosecution was initiated by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in 2019, following a police investigation prompted by the Bloody Sunday inquiry. Out of 18 former soldiers reported to the PPS, Soldier F was the sole individual charged with criminal offenses. Although the case was initially dropped in 2021, it was reinstated the following year after facing legal challenges. As the trial proceeds, the outcome remains uncertain for Soldier F

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