The Way the Trial of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and significant – days during thirty years of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear day in the city.

The protest was opposing the system of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established in response to multiple years of violence.

A Catholic priest used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a group carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a assembly moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly republican community.

A specific visual became especially prominent.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood white handkerchief while attempting to shield a group carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

The archive features Father Daly explaining to a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Protesters in the Bogside area being directed to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the district being taken to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

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

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that generally, the soldiers had fired first and that none of the victims had been armed.

The contemporary government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Families of the victims of the tragic event killings walk from the neighborhood of Derry to the municipal center holding images of their family members
Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings process from the district of Derry to the civic building holding pictures of their family members

The police began to look into the matter.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for murder.

He was charged over the deaths of James Wray, 22, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a court ruling preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were carrying weapons.

That claim was rejected in the official findings.

Material from the examination could not be used straightforwardly as testimony in the court case.

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

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.

Family members and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday display a sign and photographs of the deceased
Kin and allies of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a banner and photographs of those killed

Relatives of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the case.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be difficult.

"I remember all details in my memory," the relative said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the case – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and put him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

"But even with having to go through all that – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Thomas Diaz
Thomas Diaz

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