How the Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

Youths in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and consequential – days during multiple decades of violence in this area.

Within the community where it happened – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the walls and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The demonstration was opposing the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without due process – which had been established after multiple years of unrest.

Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a group carrying a young man, the injured teenager
Father Daly displayed a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager

Troops from the elite army unit shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly republican community.

One image became particularly memorable.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to defend a crowd moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists documented extensive video on the day.

The archive contains Fr Daly explaining to a journalist that military personnel "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being taken to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the neighborhood being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

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

The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the military personnel had fired first and that none of the victims had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Kin of the victims of the tragic event killings walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center holding images of their family members
Families of the victims of the 1972 incident fatalities march from the Bogside area of Derry to the Guildhall holding pictures of their relatives

The police started to look into the incident.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for homicide.

Indictments were filed over the deaths of one victim, 22, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a judicial decision preserving the veteran's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is necessary because he is at threat.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were possessing firearms.

The statement was dismissed in the final report.

Evidence from the inquiry could not be used immediately as evidence in the court case.

In the dock, the veteran was screened from view using a privacy screen.

He spoke for the first time in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Kin and allies of those killed on that day carry a banner and images of the victims
Relatives and allies of those killed on the incident carry a placard and photos of those killed

Kin of the deceased on the incident travelled from Derry to the judicial building daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that attending the trial would be emotional.

"I visualize all details in my memory," John said, as we walked around the primary sites referenced in the trial – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the nearby the area, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

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

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

"Despite enduring the process – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Brian Cantrell
Brian Cantrell

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