Soldier F's Bloody Sunday Trial Hears Hearsay Applications and Loyalist Activist Contempt

Strategic Insights -

The third day of Soldier F's Bloody Sunday trial at Belfast Crown Court has seen a series of significant developments, with the prosecution and defense presenting their oral and written submissions on a hearsay application. The application aims to admit statements made by other soldiers on the ground during the shootings, which took place on January 30, 1972, resulting in the deaths of 13 civilians in Derry's Bogside area. Soldier F is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney, as well as five attempted murders.

The prosecution has argued that the statements given by Soldiers G and H to the Royal Military Police (RMP) on the night of the shootings, and to the Widgery Tribunal in 1972, are the only evidence capable of proving Soldier F fired his rifle at civilians in Glenfada Park North. However, the defense has described the statements as a "house of cards," citing contradictions, unreliability, and inadmissibility. The defense also highlighted the lack of surviving records around the statements and the inability to cross-examine soldier G, who is deceased, and H, who has indicated he will invoke his right against self-incrimination if summoned to attend the trial.

Meanwhile, a letter written by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson to the judge has been passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions, after Judge Lynch raised concerns about a social media post by Bryson. The judge has described Bryson's actions as "entirely inappropriate" and has asked the prosecution to pass the letter to the director of the Public Prosecution Service for possible onward transmission to the Attorney General to consider whether there was any contempt of court.

Key Takeaways:

  • The prosecution has argued that statements given by Soldiers G and H are the only evidence capable of proving Soldier F fired his rifle at civilians.
  • The defense has described the statements as a "house of cards" due to contradictions, unreliability, and inadmissibility.
  • The defense has highlighted the lack of surviving records around the statements and the inability to cross-examine soldier G, who is deceased, and H, who has indicated he will invoke his right against self-incrimination.
  • Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has written a letter to the judge, which has been passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
  • The judge has described Bryson's actions as "entirely inappropriate" and has asked the prosecution to pass the letter to the director of the Public Prosecution Service for possible onward transmission to the Attorney General.

Statistics:

  • 13 civilians were killed during the Bloody Sunday shootings.
  • 1 soldier, Soldier F, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney.
  • 5 attempted murders are also alleged against Soldier F.
  • 2 statements given by Soldiers G and H are at the center of the hearsay application.
  • 1 loyalist activist, Jamie Bryson, has written a letter to the judge that has been passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Sources:

  • Belfast Crown Court
  • The Times of London
  • PA Media
  • The Irish News