The Way this Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal

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

January 30th, 1972 stands as one of the most fatal – and consequential – occasions throughout multiple decades of conflict in this area.

In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and embedded in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a wintry, sunny day in Derry.

The march was opposing the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without trial – which had been put in place following an extended period of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to protect a assembly transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly used a bloodied fabric while attempting to shield a group carrying a youth, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the elite army unit killed 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly memorable.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a stained with blood cloth as he tried to protect a crowd moving a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts contains Father Daly informing a reporter that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Protesters in the district being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the neighborhood being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of the incident was disputed by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry determined the Army had been attacked first.

During the peace process, the administration set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that none of the casualties had posed any threat.

At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – declaring fatalities were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the Bogside area of Derry to the civic building carrying images of their loved ones
Relatives of the victims of the tragic event shootings process from the district of the city to the Guildhall holding pictures of their family members

The police commenced investigate the events.

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

Indictments were filed regarding the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The accused was also accused of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

There is a legal order preserving the soldier's privacy, which his lawyers have argued is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as testimony in the court case.

During the trial, the accused was hidden from public with a protective barrier.

He made statements for the opening instance in court at a hearing in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Kin and allies of the victims on that day display a sign and images of the deceased
Family members and advocates of those killed on Bloody Sunday hold a placard and images of the deceased

Family members of those who were killed on the incident travelled from Derry to the courthouse every day of the case.

One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be emotional.

"I visualize all details in my recollection," the relative said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the case – from Rossville Street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the courtyard, where James Wray and another victim were killed.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and put him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

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

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were died on the incident
Malik Mckay
Malik Mckay

A passionate horticulturist and sustainability advocate with over a decade of experience in urban gardening and environmental education.