The Way the Trial of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal

Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 remains one of the most deadly – and momentous – days throughout three decades of violence in the region.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are visible on the structures and embedded in people's minds.

A public gathering was conducted on a cold but bright period in Derry.

The protest was challenging the system of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been established following three years of unrest.

Father Daly displayed a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a assembly carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a group transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly republican area.

A specific visual became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a stained with blood cloth as he tried to shield a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts includes Fr Daly explaining to a journalist that troops "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was disputed by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, the ruling party established a fresh examination, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that generally, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had presented danger.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – stating deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

Kin of the victims of the tragic event shootings process from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center displaying images of their family members
Relatives of the victims of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the neighborhood of the city to the Guildhall displaying pictures of their family members

Authorities began to investigate the events.

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

Indictments were filed regarding the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder several people, Joseph Friel, more people, another person, and an unknown person.

Remains a legal order maintaining the defendant's privacy, which his attorneys have argued is necessary because he is at danger.

He testified the investigation that he had only fired at people who were armed.

That claim was disputed in the official findings.

Evidence from the examination was unable to be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the veteran was hidden from public behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to reply "innocent" when the accusations were presented.

Relatives and allies of the victims on that day display a sign and images of those killed
Family members and advocates of the deceased on that day carry a placard and photographs of the deceased

Kin of those who were killed on that day journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was killed, said they always knew that hearing the case would be difficult.

"I can see the events in my recollection," he said, as we visited the main locations mentioned in the case – from the street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and another victim were killed.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the vehicle.

"I relived every moment during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding enduring all that – it's still valuable for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were died on Bloody Sunday
Lindsey Cohen
Lindsey Cohen

Tech writer and digital strategist passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on society.