'Hearsay evidence allowed at soldier's Bloody Sunday trial

KEY "hearsay" evidence in the trial of an ex-paratrooper accused of two Bloody Sunday murders can be used as evidence in his trial.

- By Conor Wilson

Judge Patrick Lynch, who is presiding over the non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Court, granted a prosecution application to admit statements made by other soldiers during the shootings in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on January 30, 1972.

They include claims that the accused veteran, Soldier F, fired shots in the courtyard where the men he is accused of killing were.

The decision to allow what the prosecution claimed was "decisive" evidence was met with anger by campaigners.

Paul Young, national spokesman for the Northern Ireland Veterans' Movement said: "We are deeply disappointed that the case against Soldier F is to continue.

"We view with dismay the decision to admit hearsay evidence into the trial.