Former soldier is to be charged with 1972 murder of teenager during the Troubles 

An Army veteran will be charged with murdering a 15-year-old who was shot twice in the head during Northern Ireland’s Troubles.

Daniel Hegarty died near his Londonderry home in July 1972 and a man being referred to as Soldier B will be charged in connection with his death, Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced today.

The teenager was shot in Creggan area on July 31, during Operation Motorman, which was aimed at removing ‘no go zones’ for Catholics and Protestants during the Troubles.

Solder B will also be charged with wounding with intent after Daniel’s cousin, Christopher Hegarty, who was also shot and injured in the incident aged 17.

Last year the Hegarty family won the right to seek the prosecution of the soldier after the High Court quashed a PPS decision not to bring criminal charges against him.

Today’s announcement comes amid public outcry at a former paratrooper known as Soldier F facing murder charges over the Bloody Sunday massacre in Bogside six months before.  

Pictured: An armoured vehicle patrols Londonderry during Operation Motorman in Northern Ireland’s Troubles

Pictured: British troops move through the streets of Londonderry in Northern Ireland in August 1972 

Director of the PPS Stephen Herron met with members of the Hegarty family to inform them of the decision at a private meeting in Londonderry on Monday.

Mr Herron said: ‘Following the ruling of the Divisional Court last year I conducted a review of this case. I have given careful consideration to all of the available evidence.

‘This has included material obtained in the course of the initial investigation, by a later investigation carried out by the Historical Enquiries Team, material generated by inquest proceedings and a number of expert forensic reports, the most recent of which was provided after the court ruling in 2018.

‘I have concluded that the evidence which can be presented at court is sufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction and that the evidential test for prosecution is met.

Soldier F is accused of murdering Patrick McKinney (left) and James Wray (right) on Bloody Sunday and today it was announced that Soldier B will also be charged 

Pictured: Stephen Herron, Northern Ireland´s director of public prosecutions, as the PPS announces that Soldier B will be charged 

‘As with all cases, I have also carefully considered whether the public interest requires prosecution through the courts.

‘Particular consideration was given to Soldier B’s ill health, regarding which an updated medical report was obtained.

‘In line with our Code for Prosecutors, I have concluded, given the seriousness of the charges, that the public interest test for prosecution is also met.

‘I have therefore taken the decision to prosecute an individual identified as soldier B for the offence of murder in relation to the death of Daniel Hegarty and for the wounding of Christopher Hegarty.

‘This decision has been reached following an objective and impartial application of the test for prosecution which was conducted in accordance with the Code for Prosecutors and with the benefit of advice from senior counsel.’

The charges face by Soldier F have sparked outrage among veterans and supporters. 

Soldier F is the only paratrooper to be facing charges in relation to the Bloody Sunday massacre and thousands of bikers descended on central London on Friday to protest his treatment. 

An estimated 7,000 bikers, riding all manner of motorcycles, brought traffic in central London to a standstill

Organisers of the event, dubbed ‘Rolling Thunder’, say they are protesting the British Government’s actions in charging the former squaddie

The extent of the protest was seen made clear from the air, with hundreds of bikers seen snaking around Parliament Square

British veteran ‘Soldier F’ to be charged with murder over Bloody Sunday massacre in Londonderry

By Richard Spillett 

It was announced last month that a former serviceman, named only as ‘Soldier F’, will stand trial for the murders of two men during the Bloody Sunday shooting in 1972 and the attempted murders of four others. 

Soldier F is one of 17 former members of the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment who were investigated over the violence which left 13 people dead in Londonderry in 1972.

The sixteen other British military veterans who were investigated over Bloody Sunday will not face action, it was announced this morning. 

A photo from January 30 1972 shows demonstrators facing off with British soldiers minutes before paratroopers opened fire, killing 13 civilians on what became known as Bloody Sunday

Soldier F is now thought to be in his 70s and faces trial for the alleged murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the alleged attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O’Donnell. 

In the wake of the landmark decision to prosecute the soldier, MPs accused the government of failing to do enough to protect those who fought in the Army.

At the same time as Soldier F’s prosecution was announced, authorities revealed that two alleged Official IRA members would face no criminal action.

The British government said it will support Soldier F and cover all of his legal costs, with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson praising the ‘courage and distinction’ of those who fought in Northern Ireland.

But the minister was criticised by fellow Tory MP and ex-Army Officer Johnny Mercer for failing to do enough to protect soldiers from prosecution.

Families of those killed wept after the prosecutor’s decision was announced on March 14. 

They welcomed the charges brought against Soldier F but said they felt more of the group should face court. 

Soldier F was not named by prosecutors but may be named when he’s brought before court in the coming weeks, but could apply for his anonymity to be extended.

Soldiers involved in the shooting were given anonymity in the 2010 public inquiry, although the report refers to him being called ‘Dave’ by fellow Paras.