Former soldier to stand trial accused of murder over deaths of two men on Bloody Sunday
A former soldier is to stand trial accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday.
Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney in Londonderry in 1972.
He is also charged with five attempted murders.
During a hearing in Derry on Thursday, the former paratrooper was sent for trial at a date to be fixed at Belfast Crown Court.
On Bloody Sunday, members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters on the streets of the city.
The incident was one of the darkest days in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Another man shot by paratroopers died four months later.
While considered by some to be the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday, his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour.
Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney, said he welcomed the decision to return Soldier F for trial.
He said: "This development has been a long time in coming.
"Next month represents the 52nd anniversary of the events of Bloody Sunday. Witnesses are dying and becoming unavailable."
The Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland (PPS) previously called a halt to the prosecution of Soldier F in 2021, citing concerns the case could collapse if it went to trial.
Read more:
Cases collapses against ex-soldiers accused over Bloody Sunday
Families mark 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday
The decision to halt proceedings was challenged by Mr McKinney's family and last year the Divisional Court of the High Court in Belfast overturned the PPS's move.
After reviewing its position, the PPS decided to resume the prosecution.
