The Way the Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal

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

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as among the most deadly – and significant – occasions during three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the walls and etched in people's minds.

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

The demonstration was a protest against the system of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented after three years of unrest.

Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to shield a group carrying a teenager, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a group moving a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the elite army unit killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a predominantly republican population.

A specific visual became particularly prominent.

Images showed a clergyman, the priest, using a blood-stained fabric while attempting to protect a assembly carrying a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly explaining to a media representative that military personnel "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Civilians in the district being taken to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being taken to arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened was rejected by the first inquiry.

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

In the peace process, the ruling party commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had presented danger.

The contemporary head of state, the leader, apologised in the Parliament – declaring fatalities were "improper and unacceptable."

Families of the victims of the tragic event killings process from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying pictures of their loved ones
Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings process from the district of the city to the civic building holding pictures of their loved ones

The police commenced investigate the matter.

An ex-soldier, identified as the defendant, was brought to trial for killing.

He was charged regarding the deaths of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The accused was also accused of attempting to murder several people, other civilians, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

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

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

The statement was dismissed in the official findings.

Information from the inquiry was unable to be used directly as testimony in the court case.

During the trial, the defendant was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He spoke for the first time in the hearing at a session in that month, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin and allies of those killed on Bloody Sunday hold a placard and photos of those killed
Family members and supporters of those killed on that day hold a placard and photos of the victims

Kin of the deceased on the incident made the trip from the city to the judicial building every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they understood that listening to the case would be painful.

"I remember the events in my recollection," he said, as we examined the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where the individual and William McKinney were killed.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

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

"I relived each detail during the proceedings.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were died on Bloody Sunday
Vanessa Mack
Vanessa Mack

A seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter in today's fast-paced world.