How the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

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

January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and consequential – days throughout three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Within the community of the incident – the images of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny period in the city.

The march was challenging the policy of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been established following an extended period of violence.

Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a crowd carrying a young man, the injured teenager
Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a assembly carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican community.

A particular photograph became especially iconic.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood white handkerchief as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains Father Daly explaining to a journalist that military personnel "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

Individuals in the Bogside area being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was rejected by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the military had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government commissioned another inquiry, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

At that time head of state, the leader, expressed regret in the House of Commons – declaring fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."

Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the neighborhood of the city to the Guildhall carrying photographs of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the Bogside area of Derry to the municipal center displaying pictures of their loved ones

Law enforcement began to investigate the matter.

One former paratrooper, known as the defendant, was charged for killing.

Indictments were filed concerning the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at persons who were possessing firearms.

That claim was rejected in the concluding document.

Material from the examination could not be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight using a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Relatives and allies of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a banner and images of those killed
Relatives and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday hold a banner and photographs of those killed

Family members of the victims on the incident journeyed from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be painful.

"I visualize everything in my memory," he said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the case – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I went through every moment during the proceedings.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Ashley Frazier
Ashley Frazier

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