The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and consequential – dates during three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright day in the city.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following an extended period of unrest.

Father Daly displayed a bloodied fabric in an effort to defend a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly republican community.

A particular photograph became notably memorable.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood white handkerchief while attempting to shield a crowd transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators captured considerable film on the day.

The archive features the priest telling a reporter that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

Civilians in the Bogside area being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being taken to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident was rejected by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the Army had been attacked first.

Throughout the negotiation period, the administration set up another inquiry, after campaigning by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the report by the inquiry said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating killings were "improper and unjustifiable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday killings march from the district of Londonderry to the civic building displaying photographs of their family members
Families of the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the district of Derry to the municipal center carrying photographs of their loved ones

Authorities commenced investigate the incident.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the defendant, was brought to trial for killing.

He was charged over the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision protecting the soldier's privacy, which his attorneys have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

He told the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Information from the inquiry could not be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the veteran was screened from view with a privacy screen.

He made statements for the opening instance in court at a session in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were read.

Kin and allies of the deceased on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and images of the victims
Kin and allies of the victims on the incident hold a banner and photographs of those killed

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court every day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the case would be painful.

"I remember all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we examined the primary sites discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where the victim was killed, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where James Wray and William McKinney were died.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and place him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again each detail during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding experiencing the process – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Christine Gray
Christine Gray

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