The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

Protesters in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as among the deadliest – and consequential – dates in thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the images of the tragic events are painted on the walls and etched in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The march was a protest against the practice of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been established in response to three years of violence.

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

Military personnel from the specialized division fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist community.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to protect a assembly carrying a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

News camera operators captured extensive video on the day.

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

Protesters in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident was rejected by the original examination.

The initial inquiry concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the individuals had posed any threat.

At that time Prime Minister, David Cameron, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "improper and unjustifiable."

Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their loved ones
Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center holding images of their loved ones

Law enforcement started to look into the events.

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

Accusations were made over the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is necessary because he is at danger.

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

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the examination was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In court, the accused was hidden from public using a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in that month, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were read.

Relatives and supporters of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a banner and photographs of the victims
Kin and advocates of the victims on the incident carry a placard and photographs of the victims

Family members of the victims on the incident journeyed from the city to the courthouse every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the proceedings would be painful.

"I remember the events in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the primary sites discussed in the proceedings – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and lay him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again the entire event during the proceedings.

"Despite enduring all that – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were died on Bloody Sunday
Angela Smith
Angela Smith

A passionate architect and writer with over a decade of experience in sustainable home design and renovation projects.

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