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

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most fatal – and significant – occasions during multiple decades of conflict in this area.

In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the buildings and etched in collective memory.

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

The march was opposing the practice of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been put in place after multiple years of violence.

Father Daly used a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a group moving a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a crowd moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed 13 people in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly republican population.

A particular photograph became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood cloth while attempting to shield a group transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being directed to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The first investigation determined the military had been attacked first.

Throughout the negotiation period, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the individuals had presented danger.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating killings were "improper and inexcusable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying images of their loved ones
Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident shootings march from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying images of their relatives

Authorities began to look into the events.

A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.

He was charged concerning the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, more people, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a legal order preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is required because he is at danger.

He told the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

The statement was rejected in the concluding document.

Information from the investigation could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

During the trial, the defendant was hidden from public with a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in December 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the charges were read.

Kin and supporters of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a sign and images of the victims
Relatives and allies of the victims on the incident carry a banner and photographs of those killed

Kin of those who were killed on the incident travelled from the city to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.

John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they understood that attending the case would be difficult.

"I can see everything in my recollection," John said, as we walked around the key areas mentioned in the case – from the location, where Michael was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and the second person were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and place him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

"But even with enduring all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Brian Brooks
Brian Brooks

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