How this Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Case Dismissal

Youths in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and consequential – occasions during three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the buildings and seared in people's minds.

A civil rights march was organized on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.

The march was a protest against the system of detention without trial – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented in response to three years of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a assembly carrying a young man, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the specialized division killed 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist population.

One image became especially prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a stained with blood fabric while attempting to defend a group transporting a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

The archive 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 gunfire.

Individuals in the neighborhood being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being directed to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of what happened was disputed by the original examination.

The initial inquiry concluded the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

During the negotiation period, the ruling party established another inquiry, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that overall, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

The then head of state, the leader, expressed regret in the government chamber – stating deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday killings march from the Bogside area of Derry to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their loved ones
Relatives of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities march from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall holding photographs of their family members

Law enforcement began to examine the events.

One former paratrooper, identified as the defendant, was prosecuted for killing.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The defendant was additionally charged of seeking to harm multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unknown person.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He stated to the examination that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used directly as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the veteran was screened from view using a protective barrier.

He made statements for the first time in court at a session in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the accusations were read.

Family members and allies of the victims on the incident display a banner and images of the deceased
Family members and allies of those killed on the incident carry a banner and images of those killed

Family members of the deceased on that day made the trip from Derry to the judicial building daily of the trial.

One relative, whose relative was killed, said they understood that listening to the trial would be difficult.

"I visualize all details in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the primary sites mentioned in the trial – from the location, where Michael was killed, to the nearby the area, where one victim and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I assisted with the victim and put him in the ambulance.

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

"But even with having to go through everything – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were died on Bloody Sunday
Peter Sullivan
Peter Sullivan

Certified fitness coach and wellness advocate with over a decade of experience in helping individuals achieve their health goals through sustainable practices.