A former British paratrooper has been found not guilty at Belfast Crown Court of committing two murders and five attempted murders on Bloody Sunday in Derry.
The veteran, named as Soldier F for legal reasons, was accused of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney during disorder after a civil rights parade in the city on 30 January 1972.
Some 13 people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on that day.
Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick O’Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.
He had pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.
The trial judge said the prosecution case had fallen well short of the standard required to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The families of some the victims of Bloody Sunday were in court for the verdicts.
Families of victims of Bloody Sunday at Belfast Crown Court
Judge Patrick Lynch heard evidence during a four-week trial which included statements by two of Soldier F’s colleagues.
While the prosecution argued this was key evidence that placed Soldier F in Glenfada Park North and opening fire, the defence said that Soldiers G and H are unreliable witnesses.
Soldier F was present at Belfast Crown Court for each day of the trial with his identify concealed behind a curtain in the court room.
Relatives of the men killed and supporters attended each day of the trial.