The Way the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the most deadly – and consequential – dates during multiple decades of unrest in this area.

In the streets where it happened – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and etched in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was organized on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The march was a protest against the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented after multiple years of unrest.

A Catholic priest used a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to protect a group moving a youth, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to shield a group transporting a youth, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly republican community.

One image became particularly iconic.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, displaying a bloodied white handkerchief while attempting to defend a crowd carrying a youth, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented extensive video on the day.

The archive includes the priest telling a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being taken to arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

That year, the findings by the investigation said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had been armed.

At that time head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – saying deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."

Relatives of the victims of the 1972 incident killings march from the neighborhood of Derry to the municipal center displaying images of their family members
Kin of the victims of the 1972 incident killings walk from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center holding photographs of their loved ones

Authorities began to look into the incident.

A military veteran, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for murder.

Accusations were made over the fatalities of one victim, 22, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The defendant was also accused of seeking to harm several people, additional persons, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unknown person.

Exists a legal order protecting the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.

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

During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight with a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a proceeding in that month, to reply "innocent" when the charges were read.

Family members and supporters of those killed on the incident carry a sign and photos of the deceased
Relatives and supporters of the deceased on that day hold a sign and images of the deceased

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the judicial building each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they understood that hearing the trial would be difficult.

"I can see all details in my recollection," he said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were died.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and put him in the medical transport.

"I relived the entire event during the testimony.

"Despite having to go through the process – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were died on Bloody Sunday
Megan Anderson
Megan Anderson

A passionate home organization enthusiast with over a decade of experience in DIY storage solutions and space optimization.

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