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The first court hearing for a former paratrooper being prosecuted for murder on Bloody Sunday will take place in September.<\/p>\nThe first court hearing for a former paratrooper being prosecuted for murder on Bloody Sunday will take place in September.<\/p>\n
The veteran, known at Soldier F, is accused of two murders and four attempted murders in Derry in 1972.<\/p>\n
Bloody Sunday was one of the most notorious episodes of the Northern Ireland Troubles, when paratroopers opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in Derry\u2019s Bogside neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Thirteen people were shot dead on January 30, 1972. As well as the 13 who died on the day, 15 others were shot and injured.<\/p>\n
The Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has written to bereaved families to inform them that Soldier F\u2019s committal hearing will take place in Derry courthouse on September 18.<\/p>\n
The ex-soldier \u2013 a former lance corporal in the Parachute Regiment \u2013 faces charges for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney.<\/p>\n
He also faces charges for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O\u2019Donnell.<\/p>\n
Soldier F does not necessarily have to appear in court in person at this stage in the legal proceedings.<\/p>\n
Ciaran Shiels, solicitor for some of the families involved in the case, said: \u201cOur clients have been formally notified by a senior lawyer within the Public Prosecution Service that the committal proceedings in respect of the prosecution of Lance Corporal \u201cF\u201d now have a first listing date fixed for Wednesday 18th September 2019 at Bishop Street Courthouse in Derry.<\/p>\n
\u201cOutstanding material that was required from the PSNI to finalize the court papers has now been received by the PPS.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand that those papers are now being finalized and will be served on the former soldier\u2019s defense lawyers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this stage it is not known if Lance Corporal \u201cF\u201d intends to challenge the prosecution evidence at committal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand that there will be a further update from the PPS in this regard closer to the hearing.<\/p>\n
“We have been further advised that arrangements are in place to facilitate the attendance of family members and victims by the NI court service.”<\/p>\n
The PPS did not comment on the matter.<\/p>\n