The Way this Trial of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal

Protesters in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – occasions throughout thirty years of conflict in the region.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the walls and embedded in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny period in the city.

The demonstration was opposing the policy of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without due process – which had been put in place after multiple years of conflict.

A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to protect a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly waved a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a assembly carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the specialized division shot dead thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

One image became especially iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to shield a group carrying a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts includes Fr Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being taken to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened was rejected by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry determined the Army had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the peace process, the ruling party established a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the victims had been armed.

The then head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the government chamber – saying deaths were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center carrying images of their relatives
Families of the victims of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying images of their family members

Law enforcement commenced look into the incident.

One former paratrooper, known as the defendant, was brought to trial for homicide.

Accusations were made over the deaths of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, more people, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a court ruling protecting the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

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

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the inquiry could not be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight with a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the hearing at a session in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin and allies of the victims on that day carry a placard and images of the deceased
Relatives and allies of the deceased on the incident carry a banner and photos of the victims

Kin of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the case.

A family member, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the case would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," he said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I assisted with Michael and place him in the vehicle.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Elizabeth Tyler
Elizabeth Tyler

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