How this Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and significant – dates in three decades of violence in the region.

Within the community of the incident – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the walls and embedded in collective memory.

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

The protest was challenging the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been put in place in response to three years of conflict.

A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric in an effort to shield a crowd moving a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest waved a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a assembly carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the specialized division killed 13 people in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became particularly iconic.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, using a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to shield a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts features the priest informing a reporter that troops "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Civilians in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being taken to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened was rejected by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal found the Army had been shot at first.

In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Relatives of the victims of the tragic event shootings process from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the Guildhall displaying images of their family members
Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building displaying images of their loved ones

Law enforcement began to look into the matter.

One former paratrooper, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for homicide.

He was charged regarding the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The accused was further implicated of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a court ruling protecting the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the concluding document.

Material from the inquiry could not be used directly as proof in the criminal process.

During the trial, the defendant was screened from view using a privacy screen.

He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a proceeding in December 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the charges were read.

Relatives and allies of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and photographs of the deceased
Relatives and allies of those killed on the incident carry a placard and photographs of those killed

Kin of the victims on the incident made the trip from Derry to the judicial building every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the primary sites discussed in the case – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I assisted with the victim and put him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again the entire event during the testimony.

"Despite enduring the process – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were died on the incident
Daniel Robinson
Daniel Robinson

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