The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

Protesters in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and momentous – dates throughout thirty years of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are visible on the walls and embedded in collective memory.

A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.

The protest was opposing the system of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been established in response to an extended period of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a group transporting a young man, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a crowd moving a youth, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the elite army unit killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly nationalist community.

A particular photograph became notably memorable.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a bloodied cloth as he tried to protect a group carrying a young man, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured much footage on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly informing a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was disputed by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry determined the military had been fired upon initially.

In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

That year, the report by the inquiry said that on balance, the military personnel had fired first and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the government chamber – declaring killings were "improper and unjustifiable."

Kin of the victims of the 1972 incident shootings walk from the district of Derry to the Guildhall displaying images of their family members
Kin of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the district of the city to the municipal center carrying pictures of their loved ones

Law enforcement began to examine the incident.

One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was charged for murder.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of the first individual, 22, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The defendant was also accused of seeking to harm multiple individuals, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a court ruling preserving the veteran's privacy, which his attorneys have maintained is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at individuals who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

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

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

He made statements for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.

Kin and allies of the deceased on the incident hold a placard and images of those killed
Family members and supporters of the deceased on the incident hold a placard and photographs of those killed

Kin of those who were killed on the incident journeyed from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be difficult.

"I can see the events in my recollection," the relative said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the trial – from the street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I went through each detail during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding experiencing everything – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Jimmy Christensen
Jimmy Christensen

A seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering truths and sharing compelling narratives on societal issues.