The Way the Trial of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a tense situation 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 most fatal – and significant – dates throughout multiple decades of conflict in this area.

Within the community where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the buildings and etched in collective memory.

A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.

The protest was opposing the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been put in place following three years of unrest.

A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to protect a assembly carrying a teenager, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a assembly moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the specialized division killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly republican community.

One image became notably memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood cloth in his effort to shield a crowd transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records includes the priest telling a media representative that soldiers "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

This account of events wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the soldiers had been shot at first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the individuals had posed any threat.

The contemporary Prime Minister, David Cameron, expressed regret in the Parliament – saying killings were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident shootings walk from the district of Derry to the municipal center carrying photographs of their loved ones
Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall holding images of their family members

The police commenced investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, identified as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

He was charged over the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The accused was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a court ruling preserving the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

He told the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.

Material from the inquiry could not be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In court, the veteran was shielded from sight using a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in court at a hearing in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the charges were put to him.

Family members and supporters of those killed on the incident display a banner and photographs of the victims
Family members and allies of the victims on the incident hold a banner and images of the deceased

Relatives of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the judicial building daily of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was died, said they always knew that hearing the trial would be difficult.

"I can see all details in my recollection," John said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

"It returns me to my location that day.

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

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were killed on the incident
Chad Simpson
Chad Simpson

A passionate comic enthusiast and digital artist who loves sharing insights on manga culture and storytelling.

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