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

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

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and consequential – days throughout thirty years of violence in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the walls and embedded in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was conducted on a wintry, sunny period in Londonderry.

The march was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been put in place after multiple years of conflict.

Father Daly used a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a crowd carrying a young man, the injured teenager
Father Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a group carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a strongly nationalist area.

A specific visual became notably prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a group transporting a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

News camera operators captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts features the priest telling a journalist that troops "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

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

Throughout the negotiation period, the administration commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had posed any threat.

The contemporary government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event killings process from the district of the city to the civic building carrying images of their family members
Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the district of the city to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their loved ones

Authorities began to look into the matter.

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

He was charged concerning the killings of the first individual, 22, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder several people, other civilians, more people, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a legal order preserving the veteran's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as proof in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.

He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were read.

Kin and supporters of the victims on that day carry a placard and images of the deceased
Family members and supporters of those killed on that day display a banner and photos of the deceased

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to the judicial building every day of the case.

One relative, whose brother Michael was killed, said they understood that hearing the trial would be emotional.

"I visualize the events in my memory," John said, as we walked around the primary sites mentioned in the case – from Rossville Street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

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

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

"Despite experiencing everything – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were died on Bloody Sunday
Kayla Carpenter
Kayla Carpenter

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