PLANS for a motorcycle rally in Belfast in support of former Bloody Sunday paratrooper, Soldier F have been withdrawn, the Parades Commission has confirmed.
The former member of the Parachute Regiment is the only soldier to be prosecuted for murder in connection with the 1972 killings in Derry.
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced last month that Soldier F is to be prosecuted for the murders of Jim Wray and William McKinney who were shot dead at Glenfada Park in Derry’s Bogside.
He will also be prosecuted for the attempted murder of Michael Quinn, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and Patrick O’Donnell who were also shot on Bloody Sunday but survived.
Families of those killed and wounded criticised the failure to prosecute more than one soldier. Solicitors for the majority of Bloody Sunday families have applied for a review of the PPS ruling.
However, supporters of the former Parachute Regiment members expressed outrage at the decision.
A number of protests in support of Soldier F were subsequently organised, including a “Rolling Thunder Ride N Ireland” motorcycle rally.
Organisers lodged plans for a convoy of 100 motorcyclists to drive through east Belfast on April 12 in a two-hour protest ending at Stormont. However, a spokesman for the Parades Commission has confirmed the notification has since been withdrawn.
A separate motorcycle rally has been organised for April 12 in London.
Organiser Harry Wragg said 4,000 motorcyclists were expected to join the “rolling thunder” rally in support of Soldier F.
“Our argument is with the government, not the victims of Bloody Sunday,” Mr Wragg said.
There are also plans for a separate “Paras Fight Back” rally outside Belfast City Hall on April 27. Organised by the Northern Ireland Crown Forces Veterans for Justice, the rally does not require Parades Commission permission as it is not a protest march.
