Evidence falls short of what is needed for conviction' ets do n

Ex-para acquitted of 1972 shootings

- BY REBECCA BLACK

A FORMER paratrooper known as Soldier F has been found not guilty of two murders and five attempted murders on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972.

Delivering his judgment at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran fell well short of what was required for conviction.

Soldier F had been accused of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney on Bloody Sunday, regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles.

The veteran had also been accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.

Thirteen people were killed when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a civil rights demonstration in the city.

The non-jury trial heard evidence across four weeks which included statements by two of Soldier F's colleagues.

Soldier F was present at Belfast Crown Court for each day of the trial with his identify concealed behind a curtain in the court room.

Relatives of the men killed and supporters also attended each day of the trial.

In his judgment yesterday, Judge Patrick Lynch told Belfast Crown Court that on Bloody Sunday a number of members of the Parachute Regiment entered Glenfada Park North in Derry and started firing at unarmed civilians at a distance of 50 metres or less.

He said this resulted in two murders and a number of people being unlawfully wounded.