How this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and momentous – days in thirty years of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.

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

The protest was a protest against the system of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been established after multiple years of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly waved a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a assembly moving a young man, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest displayed a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the specialized division killed 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist population.

One image became particularly memorable.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a blood-stained cloth while attempting to shield a group transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

News camera operators recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts features Father Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Individuals in the Bogside area being directed to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was rejected by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry found the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had been armed.

At that time head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – stating killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings process from the neighborhood of the city to the Guildhall displaying images of their relatives
Families of the victims of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the Bogside area of Derry to the municipal center holding photographs of their loved ones

Law enforcement began to look into the matter.

A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made over the deaths of one victim, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The defendant was also accused of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He told the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were carrying weapons.

The statement was disputed in the final report.

Material from the examination would not be used straightforwardly as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to respond "not guilty" when the charges were read.

Kin and supporters of those killed on the incident hold a banner and photographs of the deceased
Kin and advocates of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a sign and photographs of the deceased

Family members of the victims on the incident journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose sibling was died, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be painful.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," he said, as we walked around the main locations referenced in the trial – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and place him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again each detail during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding having to go through all that – it's still valuable for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Thomas Hall
Thomas Hall

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