Northern Ireland

Families tell of relief as Soldier F Bloody Sunday case reaches court

Members from the Wray and McKinney families and supporters walking to Derry Magistrates' Court, as the prosecution of a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday will reach a courtroom for the first time 
Members from the Wray and McKinney families and supporters walking to Derry Magistrates' Court, as the prosecution of a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday will reach a courtroom for the first time  Members from the Wray and McKinney families and supporters walking to Derry Magistrates' Court, as the prosecution of a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday will reach a courtroom for the first time 

The prosecution of a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday has reached a courtroom for the first time.

The case of Soldier F, who also faces five attempted murder charges in relation to the shootings in Derry on January 30 1972, was heard before a district judge in Derry Magistrates' Court.

At the brief hearing this morning, Mark Mulholland QC, representing the former paratrooper, confirmed he would be challenging the attempt to send him to Crown Court trial by calling witnesses at a mixed committal hearing.

The case was adjourned to December 4 to allow defence and prosecution to prepare for the committal proceedings.

District Judge Barney McElholm granted an interim anonymity order to continue the protection of the accused's identity.

He said he accepted it would "take some time" before the committal could proceed.

"It's important that this is all done with a degree of fairness to all concerned in these matters," he said.

The decision to prosecute the ex-paratrooper was announced by the Public Prosecution Service in March.

 Former paratrooper, Soldier F is to be prosecuted for the murders of Bloody Sunday victims, Jim Wray (left) and William McKinney. Picture by Bloody Sunday Trust/PA Wire.
Former paratrooper, Soldier F is to be prosecuted for the murders of Bloody Sunday victims, Jim Wray (left) and William McKinney. Picture by Bloody Sunday Trust/PA Wire. Former paratrooper, Soldier F is to be prosecuted for the murders of Bloody Sunday victims, Jim Wray (left) and William McKinney. Picture by Bloody Sunday Trust/PA Wire.

He was not required to attend court at this stage of the criminal proceedings and did not do so.

Bloody Sunday became one of the most notorious incidents of the Troubles when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a crowd of civil rights demonstrators, killing 13.

Soldier F is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney.

He also stands accused of the attempted murders of Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn. He faces a seventh supporting charge of the attempted murder of a person or persons unknown on the day.

Relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday walked together to court ahead of this morning's hearing.

They assembled in the Diamond area of before walking together up Bishop Street to the courthouse. Police closed the road to facilitate the walk.

Liam Wray whose brother Jim was killed on Bloody Sunday, is hugged by another member of the Bloody Sunday families before walking to Derry Magistrates' Court, as the prosecution of a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday will reach a courtroom for the first time 
Liam Wray whose brother Jim was killed on Bloody Sunday, is hugged by another member of the Bloody Sunday families before walking to Derry Magistrates' Court, as the prosecution of a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday will reach a cour Liam Wray whose brother Jim was killed on Bloody Sunday, is hugged by another member of the Bloody Sunday families before walking to Derry Magistrates' Court, as the prosecution of a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday will reach a courtroom for the first time 

Outside court, Mr McKinney's brother Mickey said: "This is a very significant event for us on the journey towards achieving the third and final demand of the Bloody Sunday justice campaign - the prosecution of a soldier for murder and attempted murder on Bloody Sunday."

Liam Wray, the brother of James Wray, said it was a "historic day".

He added: "I am very nervous this morning.

"We are glad and relieved that his day has arrived, it's been 47-and-a-half years."

After the hearing, Ciaran Shiels, solicitor for the McKinney family and the four wounded victims, said the relatives anticipated a long journey through the courts.

"The families are in it for the long haul, as they always have been," he said.

On the issue of anonymity, Mr Shiels said: "We intend to make submissions to the Public Prosecution Service that Soldier F is prosecuted in a transparent manner as consistent with the majority of the prosecutions of soldiers in respect of the murder and attempted murder of Irish civilians here."

The solicitor said he expected any trial to be ultimately heard without a jury in Belfast Crown Court.