How this Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

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

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the deadliest – and momentous – dates in multiple decades of unrest in the region.

In the streets where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a cold but bright day in Londonderry.

The march was opposing the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place following three years of conflict.

A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a crowd carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a group carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the specialized division killed 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly Irish nationalist community.

One image became especially prominent.

Images showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a blood-stained fabric as he tried to protect a crowd transporting a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists documented much footage on the day.

The archive features the priest informing a journalist that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the shooting.

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

That version of events wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The initial inquiry concluded the Army had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

The contemporary government leader, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying killings were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building displaying photographs of their family members
Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall displaying photographs of their loved ones

Law enforcement started to examine the events.

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

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

The accused was also accused of attempting to murder multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a legal order protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

He stated to the examination that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

That claim was rejected in the official findings.

Information from the examination could not be used directly as proof in the court case.

In court, the veteran was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the opening instance in court at a proceeding in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the charges were presented.

Kin and allies of the victims on that day carry a placard and photographs of the victims
Kin and allies of those killed on the incident display a placard and photographs of those killed

Relatives of the deceased on the incident travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose brother Michael was died, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the trial – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and lay him in the ambulance.

"I relived the entire event during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding having to go through all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were died on the incident
Todd Kelly
Todd Kelly

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