Half a century after one of the most harrowing days of The Troubles, a former British soldier has appeared in court, accused of the murder of two men on Bloody Sunday.
The veteran, identified only as Soldier F for legal reasons, is charged with the murders of James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, in Derry on January 30th, 1972. He is also accused of the attempted murders of four other individuals.
A Day That Shook a Nation
The case stems from the tragic events of Bloody Sunday, when British Paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march in the Bogside area of Londonderry. Fourteen unarmed civilians were killed, and many others were injured, in a massacre that profoundly intensified the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The long quest for justice has been a defining feature for the families of the victims. A landmark 12-year inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville, concluded in 2010 that the victims were unarmed and posed no threat, and that the soldiers' firing had been "unjustified and unjustifiable."
A Sole Prosecution
Despite the scale of the tragedy, Soldier F is the only individual to face prosecution. The Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPS) decided in 2019 to prosecute him for two murders and four attempted murders, while concluding there was insufficient evidence to prosecute other soldiers.
The decision was met with both relief by some families and outrage by others whose loved ones' cases did not result in charges.
A Fraught Path to Justice
The trial, held at Belfast Crown Court, represents the culmination of a five-decade legal battle. The case has been delayed multiple times, including due to challenges from the former soldier's legal team and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proceedings are being closely watched across the UK and Ireland, seen as a pivotal moment for addressing the legacy of the past. The trial continues.
