The Way the Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains among the most fatal – and consequential – occasions in thirty years of conflict in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the images of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and seared in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in the city.

The protest was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – detaining individuals without due process – which had been put in place after three years of violence.

Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a crowd carrying a young man, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a strongly nationalist community.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Pictures showed a religious figure, the priest, using a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a crowd carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

The archive contains Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

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

This account of events was rejected by the initial investigation.

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

In the negotiation period, the ruling party established a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had been armed.

The then head of state, the leader, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating killings were "without justification and unacceptable."

Families of the victims of the tragic event killings process from the Bogside area of Derry to the civic building displaying images of their family members
Families of the casualties of the tragic event killings process from the district of Londonderry to the Guildhall holding images of their loved ones

The police began to look into the matter.

A military veteran, identified as the accused, was charged for homicide.

He was charged over the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.

He told the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Evidence from the inquiry could not be used immediately as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were read.

Family members and advocates of the deceased on that day hold a banner and photographs of those killed
Relatives and allies of those killed on the incident carry a sign and images of the deceased

Family members of the deceased on that day journeyed from Londonderry to the judicial building each day of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be emotional.

"I can see the events in my mind's eye," John said, as we visited the main locations mentioned in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and another victim were killed.

"It even takes me back to my position that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and lay him in the medical transport.

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding enduring all that – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Michael Miller
Michael Miller

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