The Way the Trial of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and significant – dates in thirty years of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was opposing the practice of detention without trial – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented in response to three years of violence.

A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a assembly carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to shield a crowd transporting a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

One image became especially memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood fabric while attempting to defend a crowd transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

The archive includes the priest informing a journalist that military personnel "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

This account of the incident was rejected by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry found the military had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, the ruling party set up a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.

The contemporary government leader, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event shootings march from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building displaying images of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities walk from the Bogside area of Derry to the civic building displaying pictures of their family members

Law enforcement started to look into the events.

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

Indictments were filed over the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a judicial decision preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at threat.

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

That claim was disputed in the official findings.

Information from the inquiry was unable to be used immediately as evidence in the court case.

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

He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.

Relatives and allies of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a banner and photos of those killed
Kin and allies of the deceased on that day hold a banner and photographs of those killed

Relatives of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that attending the trial would be emotional.

"I can see the events in my memory," John said, as we visited the main locations referenced in the case – from Rossville Street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and another victim were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I assisted with my brother and lay him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again every moment during the testimony.

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

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were died on Bloody Sunday
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