A former British paratrooper has been found not guilty at Belfast Crown Court of committing two murders and five attempted murders on Bloody Sunday in Derry.
The veteran, named as Soldier F for legal reasons, was charged with the murders of James Wray and William McKinney during disorder after a civil rights parade in the city on 30 January 1972.
Thirteen people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment.
Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.
He had pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.
The trial judge said the prosecution case had fallen well short of the standard required to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Judge Patrick Lynch told the court that, on Bloody Sunday, a number of members of the Parachute Regiment entered Glenfada Park North in Derry and started firing at unarmed civilians at a distance of 50 metres or less.
He said this resulted in two murders and a number of people being unlawfully wounded.
"They had totally lost all sense of military discipline. They were members of a regiment formed in 1942 at the behest of prime minister [Winston] Churchill and had a proud record in World War II.
"Those who fought valiantly against SS Panzer divisions in 1944 have had their regiment sullied by some of their successors.
Blame for today's decision lies 'firmly with British state', say Bloody Sunday families
"Shooting in the back unarmed civilians fleeing from them on the streets."
The evidence provided by the prosecution fell "well short" of what was needed for a conviction.
"Whatever suspicions the court may have about the role of F, this court is constrained and limited by the evidence properly presented before it.
"To convict it has to be upon evidence that is convincing and manifestly reliable.
"The evidence presented by the Crown falls well short of this standard and signally fails to reach the high standard of proof required in a criminal case; that of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
"Therefore, I find the accused not guilty on all seven counts on the present bill of indictment."
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Soldier F verdicts 'nightmare' for Bloody Sunday families
Judge Lynch said there was no concept of "collective guilt" in the courts.
He said the prosecution had failed to establish that Soldier F was "knowingly and intentionally assisting in the shootings, with intent to kill or was shooting himself with that intention".
He said the sole evidence against Soldier F was from two other veterans, Soldiers G and H, and said there were difficulties in relying on it.
"Their statements, the sole and decisive evidence, cannot be tested in a way that witnesses giving evidence from the witness box would be.
"Delay has, in my view, seriously hampered the capacity of the defence to test the veracity and accuracy of the hearsay statements.
"The two witnesses are themselves, on the basis of the Crown case guilty of murder as, in essence, accomplices with a motivation to name F as a participant in their murderous activities.
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"I find that they have been serially untruthful about matters central to events giving rise to this prosecution.
"They have committed perjury, G once to the Widgery Inquiry and H twice to the Widgery and Saville inquiries."
The families of some the victims of Bloody Sunday were in court for the verdicts and gave no visible or audible response as Soldier F was found not guilty on all counts.
There was also no reaction from those in the public gallery supporting the former paratrooper.
Soldier F was in court for each day of the trial with his identify concealed behind a curtain.
Relatives of the men killed and supporters attended each day of the case.
Families vow to continue campaign
The family of William McKinney - one of those who died on Bloody Sunday - said they will continue to fight on following the acquittal of Soldier F.
His brother Mickey told reporters: "We're not finished yet", adding that the failure to bring anyone to justice over the killings "lies with the British state".
However, he said the families left court with pride in how they had taken the fight "to the wire".
"The families and wounded and our supporters leave this courthouse with an incredible sense of pride in our achievements.
"The blame lies firmly with the British state, with the RUC who failed to investigate the murders on Bloody Sunday properly, or indeed at all; and with the British Army who shielded and enabled its soldiers to continue to murder with impunity."
A solicitor who represents some of the families said there was no right of appeal in the case.
But Ciarán Shiels said they were waiting for a review from the Public Prosecution Service in relation to alleged perjury by Soldier H at the Saville Inquiry.
He said the families would push for a prosecution to be taken "without further delay".
'Complex legal issues' in case - DPP
Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland Stephen Herron said the case involved "complex legal and evidential issues".
"The challenges of prosecuting legacy cases are well documented," he said in a statement.
"From the outset, this case presented complex legal and evidential issues, including the admissibility and reliability of statements taken from soldiers by the Royal Military Police at the time."
He added: "Our thoughts today are foremost with the Wray and McKinney families, those who were wounded, and the loved ones of all killed and injured on Bloody Sunday.
"We understand that today's outcome comes after a prolonged and painful process for those families.
"We can assure the public that all decision-making in this case was conducted independently and impartially and fully in accordance with our Code for Prosecutors."
The British government said that it noted the judgment.
A spokesperson said: "The MoD (Ministry of Defence) has provided legal and welfare support throughout, as it does for any veteran involved in a legal process arising from their duties.
"This case is part of the complex legacy of the Troubles, which affected so many families and communities.
"We are committed to finding a way forward that acknowledges the past, whilst supporting those who served their country during an incredibly difficult period in Northern Ireland's history."
Additional reporting PA
