Northern Ireland

Motorcycle rally planned in support of Soldier F who faces Bloody Sunday murder charges

James Wray (left) and William McKinney who died on Bloody Sunday. Soldier F will be prosecuted for their killings. Picture from Bloody Sunday Trust/PA Wire
James Wray (left) and William McKinney who died on Bloody Sunday. Soldier F will be prosecuted for their killings. Picture from Bloody Sunday Trust/PA Wire James Wray (left) and William McKinney who died on Bloody Sunday. Soldier F will be prosecuted for their killings. Picture from Bloody Sunday Trust/PA Wire

A RALLY is planned in support of Soldier F, the former British Army soldier facing Bloody Sunday murder charges.

An application has been made to the Parades Commission to hold a motorcycle ride through Belfast city centre on Friday April 12.

The rally would set off from Connswater Shopping Centre in east Belfast, pass through Belfast city centre and finish at the gates of Stormont. 

Soldier F faces prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney who were among 13 people shot dead by paratroopers following a civil rights march in Derry on January 30 1972, known as Bloody Sunday.

Soldier F is also to be prosecuted for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O’Donnell.

The application said it expects around 100 participants and the demonstration is set to begin at 1.15pm.

The Parades Commission is due to make a determination on April 2.

Sinn Féin has condemned the plan. The party’s justice spokesman Raymond McCartney said: “Not only is this an affront to the families of Bloody Sunday who have battled for 47 years for truth and justice, it is also an insult to those in Belfast, including the Ballymurphy families and many others, who are still grieving the loss of loved ones at the hands of the British Army.

“The Parades Commission are due to consider this application next week and Sinn Féin will be raising our objections directly with the commission in advance of that.”

Read More

  • Bloody Sunday families seek review of decisions not to prosecute soldiers
  • Bloody Sunday prosecution: Who is Soldier F?