‘Soldier F’ case to begin on Monday

PROCEEDINGS against Soldier F — the only person charged in connection with Bloody Sunday — will begin in Londonderry on Monday.

District Judge Ted Magill, sitting in Belfast, told a hearing yesterday the case would go ahead “short of an act of God”.

Soldier F is charged with murdering William Mckinney and Jim Wray on January 30, 1972, and five attempted murders.

Louis Mably QC, for the prosecution, said all parties were ready to proceed. He added the intention was to hear one witness a day from Tuesday.

Judge Magill reminded the parties that this was a committal hearing, so he did not require lengthy opening remarks. He said while it was up to the prosecution how they wanted to proceed, he was making clear his views.

The judge added that while there had been a request from families to watch the proceedings from another location, there were no court staff available to attend with them.

Fiona Doherty QC, who represents some of the next of kin, asked if she could raise the matter of Soldier F’s anonymity.

Mr Mably said the issue had been dealt with at Derry Magistrates Court. He added that while Soldier F had anonymity as far back as the Saville Inquiry, the issue would be revisited before any trial.

Mark Mulholland QC, for Soldier F, said the next of kin had “beseeched” District Judge Barney Mcelholm to ensure the hearing went ahead in Derry.

He added that if the issue of anonymity were to be raised again, so too would the venue.

Judge Magill asked for written submissions on Monday.

A MAN has been arrested by detectives in Lisburn investigating a serious assault in the city yesterday.

The male victim, who is 41 years old, was walking on the Belfast Road at around 2.20pm, when a male exited a small black vehicle and attacked him.

The victim was kicked and punched to the ground, sustaining a number of serious facial fractures.

The assailant then returned to the vehicle and made off.

It happened in the vicinity of Llewellyn Avenue close to the roundabout.

Police said later that they have arrested a 32-year-old man.

The arrested man was detained at an address in Lisburn a short time later and remained in custody yesterday evening.