How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Case Dismissal

Youths in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most deadly – and significant – occasions during multiple decades of unrest in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was organized on a wintry, sunny period in the city.

The protest was challenging the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been put in place in response to an extended period of conflict.

Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a crowd carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to protect a assembly transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the elite army unit shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist community.

A specific visual became particularly memorable.

Images showed a religious figure, the priest, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to protect a group transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains Father Daly telling a reporter that troops "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident was rejected by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry determined the Army had been shot at first.

Throughout the peace process, the administration commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating killings were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event shootings walk from the district of the city to the municipal center carrying images of their loved ones
Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the district of Londonderry to the Guildhall holding pictures of their relatives

Law enforcement started to investigate the matter.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for murder.

He was charged concerning the deaths of one victim, 22, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is necessary because he is at danger.

He told the investigation that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the investigation could not be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

In the dock, the accused was screened from view behind a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Kin and advocates of the victims on that day hold a sign and photographs of those killed
Relatives and supporters of the deceased on that day hold a sign and photographs of the deceased

Relatives of the deceased on that day journeyed from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was died, said they always knew that attending the proceedings would be difficult.

"I visualize all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the trial – from the street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were fatally wounded.

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

"I helped to carry Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I went through each detail during the testimony.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson

Zkušený novinář se specializací na politickou žurnalistiku a fact-checking, přináší hluboké analýzy a přesné reportáže.