How this Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

Youths in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and significant – days in three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are painted on the structures and etched in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a wintry, sunny period in Derry.

The protest was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been established after an extended period of violence.

Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to shield a assembly moving a teenager, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to protect a crowd transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division killed 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican population.

A particular photograph became notably memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a blood-stained fabric while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators recorded considerable film on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly telling a reporter that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being taken to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that overall, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the individuals had presented danger.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying killings were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event killings process from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall holding images of their relatives
Families of the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building displaying photographs of their loved ones

Law enforcement started to look into the matter.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.

Indictments were filed concerning the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Remains a judicial decision protecting the defendant's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.

He testified the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were armed.

The statement was disputed in the concluding document.

Information from the examination was unable to be used directly as evidence in the court case.

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.

He spoke for the first time in court at a proceeding in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the charges were read.

Kin and allies of the victims on the incident carry a placard and photographs of those killed
Family members and advocates of the victims on the incident display a banner and images of those killed

Relatives of the victims on that day made the trip from the city to the judicial building every day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose relative was died, said they always knew that attending the proceedings would be painful.

"I remember all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we examined the primary sites discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and put him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were died on the incident
Jesse Murphy
Jesse Murphy

A passionate writer and tech enthusiast sharing insights on innovation and personal development.