How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Protesters in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and significant – occasions during multiple decades of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was conducted on a cold but bright day in the city.

The protest was challenging the practice of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been established following multiple years of violence.

A Catholic priest displayed a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a group moving a youth, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to shield a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist population.

One image became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood fabric in his effort to defend a assembly moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records includes the priest telling a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

Individuals in the district being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

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

The Widgery Tribunal found the soldiers had been shot at first.

In the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the report by the investigation said that overall, the military personnel had fired first and that zero among the casualties had posed any threat.

At that time government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Families of the casualties of the tragic event killings process from the district of the city to the civic building holding images of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event shootings walk from the district of Derry to the civic building displaying photographs of their family members

The police commenced look into the incident.

A military veteran, known as the defendant, was charged for homicide.

He was charged regarding the fatalities of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was additionally charged of attempting to murder several people, additional persons, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his attorneys have argued is essential because he is at danger.

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

This assertion was rejected in the official findings.

Material from the investigation would not be used immediately as proof in the court case.

In court, the accused was screened from view using a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were read.

Kin and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday carry a placard and photos of the victims
Relatives and advocates of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a banner and images of those killed

Kin of the victims on the incident travelled from Derry to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose sibling was killed, said they understood that attending the trial would be painful.

"I visualize the events in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the primary sites discussed in the proceedings – from the street, where his brother was shot dead, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

"But even with experiencing everything – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Courtney Martinez
Courtney Martinez

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