The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as among the most fatal – and momentous – days throughout thirty years of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

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

The demonstration was challenging the practice of internment – detaining individuals without trial – which had been implemented following three years of unrest.

Father Daly displayed a bloodied fabric in an effort to shield a assembly transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a crowd moving a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

A specific visual became especially iconic.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, waving a blood-stained fabric as he tried to defend a group moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts features Fr Daly telling a reporter that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Protesters in the neighborhood being directed to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal found the military had been fired upon initially.

In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that on balance, the soldiers had fired first and that zero among the individuals had presented danger.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the Parliament – saying killings were "without justification and unacceptable."

Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday killings process from the Bogside area of Derry to the Guildhall carrying images of their relatives
Families of the victims of the tragic event shootings walk from the Bogside area of Derry to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their relatives

The police commenced look into the events.

A military veteran, identified as the defendant, was charged for murder.

Accusations were made over the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was also accused of attempting to murder multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Exists a judicial decision maintaining the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.

He testified the investigation that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.

That claim was dismissed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the court case.

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the first time in court at a hearing in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Family members and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a placard and photographs of the deceased
Kin and advocates of those killed on Bloody Sunday carry a placard and photos of the deceased

Relatives of the victims on Bloody Sunday travelled from the city to Belfast Crown Court each day of the case.

One relative, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that attending the trial would be painful.

"I can see the events in my recollection," he said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and another victim were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Sean Daniels
Sean Daniels

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