The Way the Trial of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and significant – days throughout thirty years of unrest in this area.

Within the community where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Derry.

The protest was challenging the practice of internment – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been established after multiple years of violence.

Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a crowd carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest displayed a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a group transporting a teenager, the injured teenager

Troops from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel documented extensive video on the day.

Historical records includes Father Daly informing a media representative that military personnel "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

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

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the military had been attacked first.

In the peace process, the ruling party set up a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the casualties had been armed.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – saying deaths were "improper and unjustifiable."

Families of the deceased of the tragic event killings march from the Bogside area of Derry to the civic building displaying pictures of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event fatalities march from the district of Derry to the municipal center holding images of their relatives

The police began to examine the matter.

An ex-soldier, known as the accused, was charged for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.

The defendant was also accused of seeking to harm multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order protecting the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at people who were possessing firearms.

That claim was disputed in the official findings.

Evidence from the inquiry was unable to be used straightforwardly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the veteran was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the charges were read.

Kin and allies of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a banner and photos of the deceased
Kin and advocates of the victims on that day carry a sign and photographs of the deceased

Relatives of those who were killed on that day journeyed from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the case.

A family member, whose sibling was died, said they understood that listening to the trial would be difficult.

"I visualize all details in my memory," he said, as we visited the main locations mentioned in the case – from the location, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where the individual and William McKinney were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and lay him in the vehicle.

"I went through each detail during the testimony.

"But even with enduring all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Rachel Edwards
Rachel Edwards

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