TWO Army veterans will not face trial on Troubles-era murder charges after the cases collapsed.

       Soldier F was due to be prosecuted over the Bloody Sunday deaths of James Wray and William McKinney in Londonderry in 1972.

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       Ex-soldier Dennis Hutchings said the charges being dropped is brilliant news Credit: PA:Press Association

       Soldier B had been charged with murdering 15-year-old Daniel Hegarty and wounding his cousin Christopher, in the city six months later.

       Both cases have now been dropped after a review found evidence was inadmissible.

       Neither soldier had access to a lawyer when they gave statements to military police at the time.

       Ex-soldier Dennis Hutchings, 80, who has been dragged through the courts over another shooting, said yesterday: “It’s brilliant news for the lads.”

       Bloody Sunday families vowed to challenge the decision by the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland.

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       James Wray (left) and William McKinney died on Bloody Sunday Credit: PA

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       Stephen Herron, the province’s top prosecutor, admitted the ruling was bound to “bring further pain to victims and bereaved families who have relentlessly sought justice for almost 50 years and faced many setbacks”.

       Ten people shot dead in 1971 Army operation in Belfast were ‘entirely innocent’