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

Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and significant – dates in three decades of conflict in this area.

Within the community where it happened – the legacy of that fateful day are painted on the structures and embedded in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in Derry.

The march was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of violence.

A Catholic priest waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly used a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a group transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a blood-stained cloth as he tried to protect a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

The archive contains the priest telling a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

Individuals in the district being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the negotiation period, the ruling party commissioned a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that overall, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

The contemporary head of state, David Cameron, expressed regret in the government chamber – declaring deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the municipal center holding pictures of their family members
Families of the casualties of the tragic event shootings process from the Bogside area of the city to the municipal center holding photographs of their family members

Authorities began to examine the incident.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for killing.

Accusations were made concerning the killings of one victim, 22, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Exists a court ruling protecting the veteran's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at danger.

He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

The statement was rejected in the concluding document.

Evidence from the investigation would not be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the first time in court at a proceeding in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Relatives and advocates of the victims on the incident carry a banner and photographs of those killed
Relatives and advocates of the deceased on the incident display a sign and photos of the deceased

Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be emotional.

"I visualize the events in my memory," he said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the case – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where James Wray and William McKinney were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and lay him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again every moment during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding experiencing all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Richard Medina
Richard Medina

A passionate writer and digital enthusiast with a knack for uncovering unique perspectives on modern culture and innovation.