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The prosecution of a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday has reached a courtroom for the first time.<\/p>\nThe prosecution of a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday has reached a courtroom for the first time.<\/p>\n
The case of Soldier F, who also faces five attempted murder charges in relation to the shootings in Derry on January 30 1972, was heard before a district judge in Derry Magistrates\u2019 Court.<\/p>\n
At the brief hearing this morning, Mark Mulholland QC, representing the former paratrooper, confirmed he would be challenging the attempt to send him to Crown Court trial by calling witnesses at a mixed committal hearing.<\/p>\n
The case was adjourned to December 4 to allow defense and prosecution to prepare for the committal proceedings.<\/p>\n
District Judge Barney McElholm granted an interim anonymity order to continue the protection of the accused\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n
He said he accepted it would \u201ctake some time\u201d before the committal could proceed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important that this is all done with a degree of fairness to all concerned in these matters,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The decision to prosecute the ex-paratrooper was announced by the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service in March.<\/p>\n
He was not required to attend court at this stage of the criminal proceedings and did not do so.<\/p>\n
Bloody Sunday became one of the most notorious incidents of the Northern Ireland Troubles when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a crowd of civil rights demonstrators, killing 13.<\/p>\n
Soldier F is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney.<\/p>\n
He also stands accused of the attempted murders of Patrick O\u2019Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn. He faces a seventh supporting charge of the attempted murder of a person or persons unknown on the day.<\/p>\n
Relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday walked together to court ahead this morning\u2019s hearing.<\/p>\n
They assembled in the Diamond area of the Derry city before walking together up Bishop Street to the courthouse. Police closed the road to facilitate the walk.<\/p>\n
Outside court, Mr McKinney\u2019s brother Mickey said: \u201cThis is a very significant event for us on the journey towards achieving the third and final demand of the Bloody Sunday justice campaign \u2013 the prosecution of a soldier for murder and attempted murder on Bloody Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liam Wray, the brother of James Wray, said it was a \u201chistoric day\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI am very nervous this morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are glad and relieved that his day has arrived, it\u2019s been 47-and-a-half years.\u201d<\/p>\n