The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Case Dismissal

Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the most fatal – and significant – days during thirty years of conflict in the region.

In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.

The protest was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – detaining individuals without due process – which had been established in response to three years of conflict.

A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a assembly carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist population.

One image became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, waving a stained with blood fabric as he tried to defend a group moving a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records features Father Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the Bogside area being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of what happened was rejected by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the peace process, the ruling party established another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had been armed.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, expressed regret in the government chamber – stating deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."

Families of the victims of the tragic event fatalities march from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building displaying images of their loved ones
Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the district of the city to the municipal center carrying pictures of their loved ones

Authorities began to examine the events.

A military veteran, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for homicide.

He was charged regarding the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling preserving the defendant's privacy, which his attorneys have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were armed.

The statement was rejected in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination was unable to be used directly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the defendant was hidden from public with a blue curtain.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a hearing in that month, to answer "not guilty" when the charges were presented.

Family members and allies of the victims on that day display a banner and photographs of those killed
Family members and supporters of the victims on the incident hold a placard and photographs of the victims

Family members of the deceased on the incident travelled from the city to the courthouse every day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they were aware that listening to the proceedings would be painful.

"I visualize the events in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we visited the main locations mentioned in the trial – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where James Wray and William McKinney were killed.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and place him in the vehicle.

"I went through each detail during the evidence.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Traci Sweeney
Traci Sweeney

A passionate writer and tech enthusiast with a background in digital media, dedicated to sharing valuable insights and trends.