The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and significant – days in three decades of violence in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and etched in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was held on a cold but bright day in the city.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established following an extended period of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a assembly carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to protect a group transporting a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the specialized division killed 13 people in the district – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.

A specific visual became notably prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood fabric while attempting to shield a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators captured much footage on the day.

The archive contains Fr Daly explaining to a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

Individuals in the Bogside area being taken to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal found the Army had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the peace process, the administration established a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had posed any threat.

The then Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – declaring killings were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the neighborhood of Derry to the municipal center holding photographs of their relatives
Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event killings process from the Bogside area of Derry to the municipal center holding images of their family members

The police commenced examine the events.

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

He was charged regarding the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was additionally charged of attempting to murder multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a legal order protecting the veteran's identity protection, which his lawyers have argued is required because he is at threat.

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

The statement was disputed in the final report.

Material from the investigation could not be used directly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

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

He spoke for the initial occasion in court at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the charges were read.

Family members and supporters of the victims on the incident display a sign and photos of the victims
Family members and advocates of the deceased on the incident display a sign and photographs of the victims

Family members of the victims on the incident made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the trial.

One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that attending the case would be emotional.

"I can see all details in my recollection," John said, as we walked around the primary sites discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where Michael was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were died.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the medical transport.

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

"But even with having to go through everything – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Pamela Cole
Pamela Cole

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