How this Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

January 30th, 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and consequential – dates throughout thirty years of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are painted on the structures and etched in people's minds.

A civil rights march was held on a wintry, sunny day in Derry.

The protest was challenging the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented following three years of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly used a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a assembly carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a crowd transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly Irish nationalist population.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a crowd moving a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes Fr Daly telling a reporter that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the Bogside area being directed to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was disputed by the original examination.

The first investigation found the Army had been shot at first.

In the negotiation period, the ruling party established a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the report by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the casualties had been armed.

The then head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."

Families of the victims of the tragic event fatalities walk from the district of Derry to the Guildhall carrying images of their relatives
Relatives of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities march from the Bogside area of the city to the municipal center holding images of their relatives

The police commenced examine the matter.

One former paratrooper, known as the accused, was brought to trial for murder.

He was charged concerning the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

There is a legal order maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.

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

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Evidence from the examination was unable to be used directly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the defendant was screened from view using a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a proceeding in that month, to answer "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.

Kin and allies of the victims on that day hold a placard and photos of the deceased
Family members and advocates of the deceased on the incident hold a sign and images of the deceased

Family members of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the case would be difficult.

"I remember all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we visited the main locations referenced in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and another victim were died.

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

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

"I relived the entire event during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were died on the incident
Adam Jackson
Adam Jackson

Cybersecurity specialist with over a decade of experience in data protection and IT consulting.