![]() He also ruled out the use of interviews given in 2010, 38 years after the incident, to the Historical Enquiries Team, a branch of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), which was investigating so-called legacy killings. Other "striking" elements, the judge said, were that A and C were not cautioned and had no access to independent legal advice. In his ruling at Belfast Crown Court, Mr Justice O’Hara said statements the soldiers had been compelled to give in 1972, just hours after the shooting, were not admissible. ![]() ![]() He said he hoped 50,000 people would attend. Johnny Mercer, who was sacked as defence minister after he protested over ongoing prosecutions of Northern Ireland veterans, said on Friday that he would now be leading a demonstration to Westminster on May 8. If the case against Soldier A and Soldier C collapses after just five days, then there will be growing pressure on the Government to introduce legislation to end further criminal investigations of elderly and vulnerable veterans. The outcome of the case is being closely scrutinised with up to 200 British soldiers facing criminal investigation for murder and manslaughter in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The veterans – who can be identified only as Soldier A and Soldier C – are charged with the murder of Joe McCann, 24, an official IRA commander who was responsible for the deaths of 15 British troops up until his fatal shooting in Belfast on April 15 1972. Prosecutors told the court they needed until Tuesday to consider lodging an appeal against Mr Justice O’Hara’s decision to rule out statements given by the men in 19. The two soldiers, both in their 70s, now have an agonising wait until next week to learn if the case is dropped and they can walk free. The landmark prosecution of two paratroopers over the shooting of an IRA commander was left in tatters on Friday after the trial judge excluded critical evidence and condemned the police investigation. ![]()
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