The Way the Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal

Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – dates throughout three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the walls and etched in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a cold but bright period in Derry.

The demonstration was challenging the system of internment – detaining individuals without trial – which had been put in place after three years of unrest.

A Catholic priest waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to shield a assembly moving a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a crowd carrying a young man, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the specialized division fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a strongly nationalist population.

One image became particularly iconic.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a blood-stained cloth while attempting to shield a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records includes Father Daly telling a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

Protesters in the Bogside area being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

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

The Widgery Tribunal found the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the negotiation period, the administration established another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the conclusion by the inquiry said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the government chamber – declaring fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."

Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident shootings process from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying images of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings march from the neighborhood of the city to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their family members

The police commenced investigate the events.

A military veteran, known as the defendant, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the killings of the first individual, 22, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

There is a legal order protecting the defendant's identity protection, which his attorneys have argued is required because he is at threat.

He testified the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was rejected in the concluding document.

Information from the inquiry would not be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Family members and allies of the deceased on that day hold a sign and images of the victims
Relatives and supporters of the deceased on that day hold a banner and photos of those killed

Relatives of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Derry to the courthouse every day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that hearing the case would be difficult.

"I remember the events in my recollection," the relative said, as we walked around the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where James Wray and the second person were died.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and place him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again the entire event during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding experiencing all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on the incident
Jason Baker
Jason Baker

A passionate coffee roaster and writer with over a decade of experience in specialty coffee and sustainable sourcing practices.