The Way the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the most fatal – and significant – dates in multiple decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of that fateful day are painted on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny day in Derry.

The march was a protest against the system of detention without trial – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of violence.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a group transporting a teenager, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest used a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly memorable.

Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, displaying a blood-stained fabric in his effort to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes Father Daly telling a journalist that troops "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was rejected by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry found the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

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

In 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that generally, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had been armed.

At that time head of state, the leader, apologised in the government chamber – stating fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event fatalities process from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying photographs of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall holding pictures of their family members

Authorities began to examine the matter.

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

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a legal order preserving the soldier's privacy, which his attorneys have argued is required because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at people who were armed.

This assertion was rejected in the concluding document.

Information from the inquiry could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.

He spoke for the opening instance in the hearing at a hearing in that month, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were presented.

Family members and allies of the victims on that day carry a sign and images of the deceased
Relatives and allies of the deceased on that day display a banner and images of the victims

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from the city to Belfast Crown Court daily of the case.

A family member, whose sibling was died, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be emotional.

"I visualize the events in my memory," John said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and put him in the vehicle.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"But even with having to go through all that – it's still valuable for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were killed on the incident
Christopher Cruz
Christopher Cruz

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