How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and consequential – dates throughout multiple decades of conflict in this area.

In the streets where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.

The protest was challenging the system of detention without trial – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of unrest.

A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a group carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to shield a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly nationalist population.

A specific visual became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a group moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly explaining to a journalist that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Civilians in the neighborhood being directed to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of events wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The first investigation concluded the military had been shot at first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a new investigation, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

At that time head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."

Kin of the casualties of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the district of the city to the municipal center holding images of their relatives
Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident shootings march from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the Guildhall holding photographs of their loved ones

The police began to examine the incident.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.

Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision preserving the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have maintained is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was dismissed in the final report.

Material from the inquiry would not be used immediately as testimony in the court case.

In court, the defendant was screened from view using a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Kin and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and photos of those killed
Relatives and allies of the deceased on the incident hold a banner and images of those killed

Relatives of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the case.

One relative, whose relative was died, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be painful.

"I visualize everything in my memory," John said, as we examined the key areas mentioned in the trial – from the street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I assisted with the victim and put him in the ambulance.

"I relived each detail during the proceedings.

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

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Tammie Sanchez
Tammie Sanchez

A passionate journalist and storyteller with a deep love for northern cultures and environments.