How this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Protesters in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and momentous – occasions throughout thirty years of conflict in the region.

Within the community where it happened – the memories of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a cold but bright afternoon in Derry.

The march was opposing the policy of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to shield a crowd carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a crowd moving a teenager, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist population.

One image became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, using a blood-stained white handkerchief as he tried to protect a group moving a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators documented considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly telling a reporter that military personnel "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being taken to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of events was rejected by the original examination.

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

In the peace process, the ruling party set up a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had fired first and that zero among the victims had been armed.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – stating deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

Relatives of the victims of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the Bogside area of the city to the municipal center carrying pictures of their loved ones
Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday killings process from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building holding images of their family members

The police began to investigate the incident.

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

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

There is a judicial decision protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was disputed in the official findings.

Material from the investigation was unable to be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

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

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the accusations were read.

Kin and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday hold a placard and photos of those killed
Kin and advocates of the victims on the incident display a banner and images of those killed

Kin of the deceased on that day made the trip from Derry to the judicial building each day of the case.

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

"I remember the events in my memory," he said, as we examined the main locations referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I assisted with the victim and put him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again each detail during the proceedings.

"Despite having to go through the process – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Ashley Simmons
Ashley Simmons

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