The Way the Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most deadly – and momentous – dates during three decades of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of that fateful day are displayed on the walls and seared in public consciousness.

A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.

The march was opposing the policy of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented after an extended period of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a group carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly nationalist population.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a assembly moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that military personnel "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

During the negotiation period, the ruling party established another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that zero among the victims had been armed.

At that time government leader, the leader, expressed regret in the government chamber – declaring killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Kin of the casualties of the tragic event fatalities process from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building holding pictures of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center carrying pictures of their relatives

Authorities started to investigate the matter.

One former paratrooper, identified as the defendant, was brought to trial for killing.

Accusations were made concerning the deaths of one victim, 22, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, other civilians, more people, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.

That claim was dismissed in the final report.

Information from the inquiry could not be used immediately as testimony in the court case.

In court, the accused was hidden from public behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in late 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the accusations were presented.

Relatives and supporters of the victims on the incident carry a banner and images of the deceased
Relatives and advocates of the victims on that day carry a placard and images of the deceased

Kin of the victims on the incident made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.

A family member, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the trial would be emotional.

"I remember all details in my recollection," John said, as we walked around the main locations discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and lay him in the vehicle.

"I went through every moment during the proceedings.

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

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

A passionate writer and digital enthusiast, Evelyn explores emerging trends and shares engaging content with a global audience.

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