How the Trial of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

Youths in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – occasions in thirty years of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of that fateful day are painted on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a cold but bright period in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been implemented following three years of unrest.

A Catholic priest waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a group carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to defend a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican community.

One image became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a blood-stained fabric while attempting to defend a crowd moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.

The archive includes Fr Daly informing a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Protesters in the district being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of the incident was disputed by the original examination.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the peace process, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the individuals had been armed.

The then head of state, the leader, apologised in the government chamber – declaring deaths were "improper and unjustifiable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall displaying pictures of their family members
Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall holding photographs of their family members

Authorities commenced examine the matter.

A military veteran, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

Accusations were made concerning the killings of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was also accused of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

There is a court ruling preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.

The statement was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination would not be used directly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

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

He spoke for the first time in court at a hearing in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Kin and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday carry a banner and photographs of those killed
Relatives and supporters of the victims on the incident carry a placard and photographs of the victims

Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

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

"I can see the events in my memory," the relative said, as we examined the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was killed, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where the individual and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

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

"I helped to carry Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

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

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were died on the incident
Janice Holden
Janice Holden

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