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

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – occasions during three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where it happened – the images of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and embedded in people's minds.

A civil rights march was organized on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Londonderry.

The protest was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without trial – which had been put in place in response to multiple years of violence.

A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to protect a assembly carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a crowd transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly republican community.

A particular photograph became notably memorable.

Images showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief as he tried to defend a assembly transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

News camera operators recorded considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts features the priest informing a reporter that soldiers "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the district being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being marched towards arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

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

In the peace process, the ruling party commissioned a fresh examination, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the paratroopers had fired first and that not one of the individuals had been armed.

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."

Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the district of Londonderry to the civic building holding photographs of their loved ones
Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the Bogside area of Derry to the civic building carrying images of their family members

Law enforcement started to look into the matter.

An ex-soldier, known as the accused, was charged for murder.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of one victim, 22, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is required because he is at danger.

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

The statement was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the inquiry could not be used immediately as evidence in the court case.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the first time in the hearing at a hearing in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the accusations were put to him.

Kin and advocates of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a placard and photographs of the victims
Relatives and supporters of those killed on that day display a sign and photographs of the victims

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that hearing the trial would be emotional.

"I can see the events in my memory," he said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the trial – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again the entire event during the evidence.

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

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Adrian Mann
Adrian Mann

A passionate writer and traveler sharing insights on living a vibrant and fulfilling life through personal stories and expert tips.