The Way the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 remains among the most deadly – and consequential – dates throughout multiple decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was held on a cold but bright period in the city.

The protest was opposing the practice of internment – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of unrest.

Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly used a bloodied fabric while attempting to shield a crowd carrying a youth, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican population.

A particular photograph became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, the priest, displaying a blood-stained fabric in his effort to protect a crowd moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts includes Fr Daly informing a journalist that troops "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

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

That version of events wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the military had been attacked first.

During the peace process, the administration commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the individuals had posed any threat.

The contemporary Prime Minister, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident shootings walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the civic building carrying images of their loved ones
Families of the casualties of the tragic event shootings process from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the civic building displaying photographs of their family members

Law enforcement began to examine the incident.

One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was brought to trial for homicide.

Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a court ruling preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Information from the investigation was unable to be used directly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the accused was screened from view using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in that month, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin and allies of the victims on the incident display a banner and photographs of those killed
Family members and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and photos of the victims

Family members of the victims on that day made the trip from Derry to the judicial building each day of the case.

John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be emotional.

"I remember everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we visited the primary sites discussed in the trial – from the street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I assisted with Michael and place him in the ambulance.

"I relived each detail during the evidence.

"Despite experiencing all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were fatally wounded on the incident
Samantha Clayton
Samantha Clayton

A passionate traveler and writer who has explored over 50 countries, sharing insights and stories to inspire wanderlust in others.