The PM must legislate to end disgraceful trials of former soldiers
The Government surely cannot require more of a wake-up call than the attempt to pervert justice in Belfast in the past week
5 May 2021 • 1:00pm
What is going on in the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service? Just four days in, the trial of two veterans accused of murdering IRA serial killer Joe McCann collapsed for lack of evidence against them. Senior detectives responsible for the Historical Enquiries Team investigation warned prosecutors the case was going to fail. The former deputy director of the team wrote of the intention to prosecute: “In over 40 years of investigative experience, I can honestly say I have never encountered such an appalling injustice”.
Seven British Army veterans at the centre of historic Northern Ireland allegations from the Troubles could have cases against them dropped - after a separate murder trial of two soldiers collapsed for relying on old statements.
The Public Prosecution Service, based in Belfast, is re-examining files on the former soldiers, who were either being considered for charge or already proceeding through the courts.
They are specifically checking whether any of the cases rely on statements from the Historic Enquiries Team, a now disbanded police group which had looked at British services roles in deaths during the Northern Ireland conflict.
It comes after the murder trial of two veterans over the shooting of IRA commander Joe McCann collapsed last week, with them being formerly acquitted yesterday.
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Joe McCann: Murder trial of two former soldiers accused of killing IRA commander in 1972 collapses
The trial of two former British soldiers for the shooting dead of an IRA commander in 1972 has collapsed at the Crown Court in Belfast.
Joe McCann, 24, was unarmed when soldiers opened fire on him in Joy Street, as he ran from them in a bid to evade capture.
The case against the two veterans, identified only as Soldiers A and C, fell apart when evidence deemed central to the prosecution was ruled inadmissible.
Ministers have been urged to end the hounding of Northern Ireland veterans after the sensational collapse of a landmark murder trial.
Almost 50 years after first being questioned over the shooting of Official IRA commander Joe McCann, two former Paratroopers, now 71 and 70, were allowed to walk free from court on Tuesday.
A trial judge ruled that crucial interview evidence was inadmissible, raising grave questions as to why prosecutors pursued charges against the pair for five years.
Veterans and supporters celebrate as the trial of two Northern Ireland veterans accused of murdering Official IRA member Joe McCann in 1972 collapses
It was the first case against servicemen deployed during the Troubles since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.