Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Some of the British and Irish front pages today
Front Pages
How the British and Irish papers covered the verdict in the Bloody Sunday murder trial
The difference in tone between the Irish and British papers today is stark.
THE FRONT PAGES of the British newspapers struck a markedly different tone to those on this side of the Irish Sea this morning, following a judge’s ruling yesterday that a former British paratrooper was not guilty of the murder of two people on Bloody Sunday in 1972.
Soldier F, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged with the murders of James Wray and William McKinney on 30 January 1972 – the day when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters on the streets of Derry.
He was also accused of five attempted murders during the incident in Derry’s Bogside area, namely of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, Patrick O’Donnell and a person unknown.
He pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.
The judge in the case said the evidence presented in court did not meet the bar of showing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Here is how the story was covered on the front pages of British newspapers:
The Daily Mail
“Now end the witch hunt”
The Times
“Judge clears the only Bloody Sunday soldier tried for murder”
The Daily Telegraph
“‘Stop the show trials for veterans’”
The Financial Times
In the ‘Briefing’ list: “Veteran found not guilty”
The story did not make the front pages of a number of the British papers.
Most of the tabloids this morning have led with the departure of the hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, while the more left-leaning papers like The Guardian and the i opted for other stories.
Here is how the story featured on front pages on this side of the Irish Sea today:
The Irish Times
“Soldier F found not guilty of Bloody Sunday murders”
The Irish Examiner
“Soldier F found not guilty of Bloody Sunday murders”
The Belfast Telegraph
“End of the road”
The Irish Independent and the tabloids here did not feature the trial verdict on their front pages today.
have your say