The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and significant – dates in multiple decades of violence in this area.

Within the community where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.

A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Londonderry.

The protest was a protest against the system of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place after an extended period of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly used a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a crowd transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest used a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a youth, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly nationalist community.

One image became notably memorable.

Images showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to protect a crowd moving a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts contains the priest informing a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

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

In the resolution efforts, the administration commissioned another inquiry, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had fired first and that not one of the victims had posed any threat.

At that time head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."

Relatives of the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the district of the city to the civic building displaying photographs of their family members
Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities walk from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center holding images of their family members

The police started to examine the matter.

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

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a court ruling preserving the soldier's privacy, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

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

The statement was dismissed in the official findings.

Information from the examination would not be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.

During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight using a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the first time in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Family members and supporters of those killed on that day hold a placard and photographs of the victims
Kin and advocates of those killed on that day carry a placard and photos of the deceased

Relatives of the deceased on the incident made the trip from the city to the courthouse daily of the trial.

One relative, whose relative was died, said they always knew that attending the proceedings would be painful.

"I remember everything in my recollection," he said, as we visited the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I assisted with my brother and put him in the vehicle.

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding having to go through all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Rebecca Russell
Rebecca Russell

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