How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and consequential – occasions in thirty years of violence in the region.

Within the community where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the buildings and embedded in people's minds.

A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear day in Londonderry.

The march was challenging the system of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented after an extended period of conflict.

Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a assembly transporting a youth, the injured teenager
Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to protect a assembly transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division killed 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly republican area.

A specific visual became notably prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a crowd carrying a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records features the priest informing a media representative that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Individuals in the Bogside area being taken to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The first investigation determined the military had been fired upon initially.

During the peace process, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the casualties had posed any threat.

The contemporary Prime Minister, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying killings were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the Bogside area of Derry to the civic building carrying images of their relatives
Relatives of the victims of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall displaying photographs of their relatives

Law enforcement started to investigate the incident.

A military veteran, referred to as the accused, was brought to trial for murder.

Accusations were made over the killings of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The defendant was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a court ruling preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was disputed in the final report.

Evidence from the examination was unable to be used directly as evidence in the court case.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight using a protective barrier.

He made statements for the first time in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.

Kin and advocates of the deceased on that day hold a sign and photographs of those killed
Family members and allies of the victims on that day carry a placard and photographs of the deceased

Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.

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

"I visualize everything in my recollection," John said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the trial – from the location, where his brother was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where the individual and the second person were fatally wounded.

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

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

"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Colleen Phelps
Colleen Phelps

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