The Way the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most fatal – and consequential – days in thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the memories of Bloody Sunday are visible on the buildings and embedded in people's minds.

A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear day in Londonderry.

The protest was a protest against the system of detention without trial – detaining individuals without trial – which had been established after an extended period of violence.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a crowd moving a young man, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a assembly moving a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the specialized division killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, waving a bloodied white handkerchief while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

News camera operators captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes Father Daly informing a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the neighborhood being taken to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

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

The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been shot at first.

During the peace process, the ruling party commissioned another inquiry, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that overall, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had been armed.

The then head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – saying killings were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the neighborhood of the city to the Guildhall displaying pictures of their relatives
Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying images of their loved ones

Authorities began to investigate the events.

A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder.

Indictments were filed concerning the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

There is a legal order protecting the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is necessary because he is at threat.

He testified the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were armed.

That claim was rejected in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination could not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the first time in court at a proceeding in late 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.

Family members and supporters of the victims on that day hold a sign and photographs of the deceased
Kin and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday hold a placard and photographs of the deceased

Relatives of those who were killed on that day travelled from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

A family member, whose relative was killed, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be difficult.

"I remember all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the primary sites discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where his brother was killed, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

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

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

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

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

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