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

Youths in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and significant – dates in thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Within the community of the incident – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright day in Londonderry.

The protest was opposing the system of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without due process – which had been put in place in response to an extended period of conflict.

Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a assembly carrying a teenager, the injured teenager
Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a crowd moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the elite army unit killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist community.

One image became particularly iconic.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, using a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to protect a group carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts includes Father Daly telling a journalist that troops "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Individuals in the neighborhood being taken to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

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

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

Throughout the peace process, the ruling party established a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

The then head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – declaring deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings march from the neighborhood of Derry to the municipal center holding images of their relatives
Relatives of the victims of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center holding pictures of their loved ones

Authorities began to look into the matter.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for homicide.

He was charged regarding the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm multiple individuals, other civilians, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the examination that he had solely shot at people who were armed.

That claim was disputed in the final report.

Material from the inquiry could not be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public using a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to reply "innocent" when the accusations were read.

Relatives and advocates of the deceased on that day display a placard and photographs of the deceased
Kin and advocates of the deceased on the incident hold a sign and photographs of the deceased

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.

One relative, whose sibling was killed, said they always knew that hearing the proceedings would be difficult.

"I remember the events in my recollection," the relative said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I assisted with the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through each detail during the testimony.

"Despite enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Jeanette Petty
Jeanette Petty

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