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Soldiers

Defence Barrister Claims Key Witness in Bloody Sunday Trial is "Unreliable" and "Liars"

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The prosecution's case in the trial of a former paratrooper accused of the murder of two civilians on Bloody Sunday has been severely weakened by the defence's claims that a key witness has changed his story over the years. Defence barrister Mark Mulholland KC has branded Soldier H, a veteran who is being relied on by the prosecution, as "unreliable", "unconvincing", and a "liar". Mulholland has pointed out inconsistencies in Soldier H's statements, including changes in his account of the events on Bloody Sunday, and has questioned whether he had been "fed" information to include in his evidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The defence has produced evidence of changes in Soldier H's account of the events on Bloody Sunday, including discrepancies in his statements to the Royal Military Police, the Widgery Inquiry, and the Saville Inquiry.
  • Soldier H has indicated that he will exercise his right against self-incrimination if summoned to attend the trial, leaving the prosecution without the opportunity to challenge his evidence.
  • The defence has claimed that the prosecution's evidence is "fundamentally inconsistent" and that the civilian witness evidence contradicts the account provided by Soldier G and Soldier H.
  • Soldier F, the veteran on trial, has pleaded not guilty to the seven counts of murder and attempted murder, and has made no comment to the questions put to him during a voluntary interview with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in 2016.

Statistics:

  • 13 people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday (January 30, 1972).
  • Soldier F is charged with the murders of James Wray and William McKinney, as well as the attempted murders of Michael Quinn, Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahn, and an unknown person.
  • The trial, which began last month, is being held at Belfast Crown Court without a jury.

Sources:

  • The Belfast Telegraph, "Bloody Sunday trial: Defence barrister claims key witness is 'unreliable'".
  • The Irish Times, "Bloody Sunday: Defence claims key witness is 'liar'".
  • BBC News, "Bloody Sunday: Defence claims key witness is 'unreliable'"

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