How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

January 30th, 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and significant – dates in three decades of conflict in this area.

Within the community of the incident – the memories of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the walls and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a cold but bright afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented following multiple years of unrest.

Father Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a group transporting a youth, the injured teenager
Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a group transporting a teenager, the injured teenager

Troops from the specialized division fatally wounded 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist population.

One image became especially memorable.

Images showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a stained with blood cloth in his effort to protect a group carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.

The archive contains Fr Daly telling a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Individuals in the Bogside area being directed to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being taken to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry concluded the military had been fired upon initially.

During the resolution efforts, the ruling party established another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that not one of the casualties had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, David Cameron, issued an apology in the government chamber – declaring killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident shootings process from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center carrying pictures of their relatives
Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying images of their relatives

Law enforcement started to investigate the events.

A military veteran, known as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made over the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, more people, another person, and an unknown person.

Remains a legal order preserving the defendant's privacy, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the inquiry would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.

In court, the accused was screened from view with a blue curtain.

He spoke for the first time in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were read.

Kin and supporters of those killed on the incident carry a placard and photographs of the deceased
Kin and supporters of the victims on that day carry a banner and photographs of those killed

Kin of the victims on that day made the trip from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they always knew that hearing the case would be painful.

"I can see everything in my memory," he said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and put him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again every moment during the proceedings.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were died on the incident
Sheila Collins
Sheila Collins

A passionate life coach and writer dedicated to helping others overcome obstacles and thrive in their personal and professional lives.

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