How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Protesters in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and significant – days in multiple decades of unrest in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the walls and seared in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the policy of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been established after three years of conflict.

Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a crowd carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to protect a assembly moving a young man, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the specialized division killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

A particular photograph became particularly iconic.

Images showed a clergyman, Father Daly, waving a stained with blood fabric in his effort to protect a group carrying a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records contains the priest telling a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Civilians in the district being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

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

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

In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the military personnel had fired first and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the Parliament – saying deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings walk from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building displaying pictures of their relatives
Relatives of the victims of the 1972 incident shootings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall displaying images of their relatives

The police started to investigate the matter.

A military veteran, known as the defendant, was charged for killing.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The accused was also accused of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

There is a judicial decision protecting the soldier's privacy, which his attorneys have maintained is essential because he is at threat.

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

The statement was dismissed in the official findings.

Evidence from the examination would not be used straightforwardly as proof in the court case.

In court, the defendant was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Kin and supporters of those killed on the incident carry a placard and images of the victims
Family members and advocates of the victims on Bloody Sunday hold a sign and photos of the deceased

Family members of the victims on the incident travelled from Derry to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose sibling was killed, said they were aware that attending the case would be difficult.

"I remember the events in my recollection," John said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where his brother was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and place him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were died on Bloody Sunday
Michael Farmer
Michael Farmer

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