The Way the Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and significant – dates during three decades of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of the tragic events are displayed on the walls and embedded in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was held on a wintry, sunny day in the city.

The protest was a protest against the system of detention without trial – holding suspects without trial – which had been put in place after an extended period of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to shield a group carrying a teenager, the injured teenager
Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a group carrying a teenager, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist population.

A specific visual became especially iconic.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, using a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to shield a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

The archive features Father Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Civilians in the district being directed to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being directed to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened was disputed by the original examination.

The initial inquiry determined the Army had been shot at first.

In the peace process, the administration commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had fired first and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident fatalities walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building carrying pictures of their relatives
Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident shootings process from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall holding photographs of their relatives

Law enforcement began to investigate the events.

An ex-soldier, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for homicide.

Accusations were made over the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the inquiry would not be used directly as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.

He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in that month, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Family members and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a placard and photographs of those killed
Kin and advocates of those killed on the incident hold a banner and images of those killed

Kin of the deceased on Bloody Sunday journeyed from the city to the courthouse daily of the trial.

John Kelly, whose sibling was killed, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be emotional.

"I visualize the events in my memory," John said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were died.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I assisted with my brother and place him in the ambulance.

"I relived the entire event during the testimony.

"But even with experiencing all that – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on the incident
James King
James King

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