24/10/2025
Soldier F Acquitted On All Bloody Sunday Charges
A judge at the Crown Court has directed a verdict of not guilty on all charges against 'Soldier F', the former paratrooper facing trial in relation to the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972.
The charges related to the murders of James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, Patrick O'Donnell, and others unknown.
The acquittal was based on the judge's ruling that the prosecution's central evidence against the defendant—statements he had previously made—was legally inadmissible and could not be used during the trial.
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) confirmed it respected the verdict. Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron addressed the outcome in a statement, noting the inherent difficulties of bringing such cases.
"The challenges of prosecuting legacy cases are well documented," Mr Herron said. "From the outset, this case presented complex legal and evidential issues, including the admissibility and reliability of statements taken from soldiers by the Royal Military Police at the time."
Mr Herron's statement conveyed the PPS's sympathy, saying: "Our thoughts today are foremost with the Wray and McKinney families, those who were wounded, and the loved ones of all killed and injured on Bloody Sunday. We understand that today's outcome comes after a prolonged and painful process for those families." The PPS assured the public that all decision-making in the case was conducted independently and impartially.
The judge's decision to exclude the primary evidence rested on two key legal findings:
1. 1972 Statements (Initial Interviews): Admissions made by Soldier F to the military police shortly after the incident were ruled not voluntary. The judge found the soldier had been compelled to provide these statements by a superior officer, rendering them inadmissible under criminal evidence law.
2. 1999 Statements (Saville Inquiry): Evidence given by Soldier F to the Saville Inquiry was deemed inadmissible due to a statutory undertaking provided to him by the Inquiry's Chairman, Lord Saville, guaranteeing that the evidence could not be used against him in any subsequent criminal proceedings.
With the central evidence excluded, the judge concluded there was insufficient admissible evidence remaining to support the charges, leading to the directed verdict of not guilty on all counts.
The full Summary of Judgement can be read here.
The charges related to the murders of James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, Patrick O'Donnell, and others unknown.
The acquittal was based on the judge's ruling that the prosecution's central evidence against the defendant—statements he had previously made—was legally inadmissible and could not be used during the trial.
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) confirmed it respected the verdict. Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron addressed the outcome in a statement, noting the inherent difficulties of bringing such cases.
"The challenges of prosecuting legacy cases are well documented," Mr Herron said. "From the outset, this case presented complex legal and evidential issues, including the admissibility and reliability of statements taken from soldiers by the Royal Military Police at the time."
The judge's decision to exclude the primary evidence rested on two key legal findings:
1. 1972 Statements (Initial Interviews): Admissions made by Soldier F to the military police shortly after the incident were ruled not voluntary. The judge found the soldier had been compelled to provide these statements by a superior officer, rendering them inadmissible under criminal evidence law.
2. 1999 Statements (Saville Inquiry): Evidence given by Soldier F to the Saville Inquiry was deemed inadmissible due to a statutory undertaking provided to him by the Inquiry's Chairman, Lord Saville, guaranteeing that the evidence could not be used against him in any subsequent criminal proceedings.
With the central evidence excluded, the judge concluded there was insufficient admissible evidence remaining to support the charges, leading to the directed verdict of not guilty on all counts.
The full Summary of Judgement can be read here.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 October 2012
Marian Price Fails To Get Charges Dropped
Republican Marian Price has been refused an attempt to have a prosecution against her thrown out of a L’Derry court due to undue delay. District Judge Barney McElholm made the decision after finding no evidence of abuse of process. She is due to appear in court on 21 November.
Marian Price Fails To Get Charges Dropped
Republican Marian Price has been refused an attempt to have a prosecution against her thrown out of a L’Derry court due to undue delay. District Judge Barney McElholm made the decision after finding no evidence of abuse of process. She is due to appear in court on 21 November.
30 November 2006
Omagh judge orders investigation into evidence
The judge at the Omagh bomb trial has today hit out at two police officers after it emerged that there had been doubt cast upon the evidence in which they supplied to the court.
Omagh judge orders investigation into evidence
The judge at the Omagh bomb trial has today hit out at two police officers after it emerged that there had been doubt cast upon the evidence in which they supplied to the court.
02 August 2001
British soldiers must return to NI to give evidence
British soldiers called to give evidence at the Bloody Sunday Tribunal must return to the province to give their evidence at the Tribunal sitting in the Guildhall in Derry.
British soldiers must return to NI to give evidence
British soldiers called to give evidence at the Bloody Sunday Tribunal must return to the province to give their evidence at the Tribunal sitting in the Guildhall in Derry.
04 December 2018
Ballymurphy Soldier Denies He 'Embellished' Evidence
A soldier who shot a man dead in Ballymurphy in 1971 has been accused of embellishing his account of events. The ex-Royal Engineer, who has been granted anonymity and is referred to as M3 during the inquest, was giving evidence at Belfast Coroner's Court on Tuesday 04 December as part of the probe into the death of Eddie Doherty, 31.
Ballymurphy Soldier Denies He 'Embellished' Evidence
A soldier who shot a man dead in Ballymurphy in 1971 has been accused of embellishing his account of events. The ex-Royal Engineer, who has been granted anonymity and is referred to as M3 during the inquest, was giving evidence at Belfast Coroner's Court on Tuesday 04 December as part of the probe into the death of Eddie Doherty, 31.
27 June 2007
Taoiseach ‘disappointed’ over Finucane decision
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has described the decision not to charge any security force members over the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane as a “disappointing development.
Taoiseach ‘disappointed’ over Finucane decision
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has described the decision not to charge any security force members over the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane as a “disappointing development.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.