How the Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and significant – dates throughout three decades of violence in the region.

Within the community of the incident – the memories of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the buildings and etched in collective memory.

A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright day in Derry.

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

Fr Edward Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to shield a assembly transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to protect a group transporting a young man, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly iconic.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood fabric while attempting to shield a crowd transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains Father Daly explaining to a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Individuals in the district being taken to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened was rejected by the original examination.

The first investigation found the Army had been fired upon initially.

In the peace process, the administration commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

The contemporary head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event fatalities march from the district of Londonderry to the civic building displaying pictures of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the 1972 incident shootings march from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall holding photographs of their relatives

Authorities started to look into the events.

A military veteran, known as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of the first individual, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The defendant was additionally charged of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a court ruling maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have argued is essential because he is at danger.

He stated to the examination that he had only fired at people who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was rejected in the official findings.

Evidence from the examination was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the court case.

In court, the accused was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a session in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Family members and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a placard and images of the victims
Family members and supporters of the deceased on that day hold a sign and photos of the victims

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that listening to the case would be painful.

"I visualize all details in my mind's eye," John said, as we walked around the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and place him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.

"Despite having to go through the process – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Amy Alexander
Amy Alexander

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