How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as one of the deadliest – and momentous – dates in three decades of violence in this area.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear period in Derry.

The march was challenging the practice of internment – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following multiple years of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a assembly carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a crowd moving a youth, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly nationalist population.

A particular photograph became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to protect a assembly transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators documented considerable film on the day.

The archive contains Fr Daly telling a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the district being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of events wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

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

Throughout the peace process, the administration commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had been armed.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the House of Commons – saying killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Families of the casualties of the tragic event killings walk from the Bogside area of Derry to the Guildhall carrying photographs of their family members
Relatives of the victims of the 1972 incident shootings march from the district of the city to the Guildhall carrying photographs of their relatives

The police started to investigate the matter.

One former paratrooper, referred to as Soldier F, was charged for killing.

Indictments were filed over the deaths of James Wray, 22, and 26-year-old another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Exists a legal order preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his attorneys 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 rejected in the official findings.

Material from the inquiry would not be used directly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In court, the veteran was hidden from public with a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in that month, to answer "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Family members and supporters of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a sign and images of those killed
Kin and advocates of those killed on the incident carry a placard and photographs of those killed

Kin of the victims on that day travelled from Londonderry to the judicial building each day of the case.

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

"I can see all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the case – from Rossville Street, where his brother was shot dead, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Colleen Ellis
Colleen Ellis

A motivational writer and life coach passionate about empowering others through positive mindset and actionable strategies.

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