The Way the Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

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

January 30th, 1972 remains among the deadliest – and consequential – dates in multiple decades of unrest in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the images of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was held on a wintry, sunny period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was a protest against the system of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been put in place in response to three years of conflict.

Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to shield a crowd carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to protect a group carrying a young man, the injured teenager

Troops from the specialized division fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

One image became notably memorable.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, using a blood-stained fabric as he tried to protect a crowd carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented much footage on the day.

The archive contains the priest informing a journalist that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Protesters in the Bogside area being directed to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the district being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was disputed by the initial investigation.

The first investigation determined the military had been shot at first.

During the peace process, the administration set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the military personnel had fired first and that none of the victims had posed any threat.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – stating deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."

Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings walk from the district of the city to the civic building displaying images of their relatives
Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the district of Londonderry to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their loved ones

Authorities started to look into the events.

An ex-soldier, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of one victim, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The accused was also accused of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision preserving the soldier's privacy, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at danger.

He testified the examination that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.

That claim was rejected in the official findings.

Material from the examination could not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the defendant was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.

He made statements for the first time in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin and allies of the victims on that day carry a placard and photographs of the deceased
Kin and advocates of those killed on that day carry a placard and photos of those killed

Kin of those who were killed on that day made the trip from Derry to the judicial building every day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the trial would be painful.

"I visualize all details in my recollection," John said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the case – from the location, where the victim was killed, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and place him in the ambulance.

"I went through each detail during the evidence.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Mark Bird
Mark Bird

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