The Way the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and momentous – dates during three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are visible on the structures and etched in people's minds.

A civil rights march was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the system of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established following three years of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to protect a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to protect a crowd moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Troops from the specialized division shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly republican area.

One image became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a bloodied cloth as he tried to protect a crowd carrying a young man, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Civilians in the neighborhood being directed to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of events was disputed by the initial investigation.

The first investigation concluded the military had been attacked first.

During the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, after campaigning by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the victims had been armed.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the district of the city to the Guildhall holding pictures of their family members
Families of the casualties of the tragic event shootings walk from the district of Derry to the municipal center holding photographs of their loved ones

Law enforcement commenced look into the events.

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

Accusations were made concerning the deaths of one victim, in his twenties, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a judicial decision preserving the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.

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

The statement was rejected in the official findings.

Evidence from the investigation would not be used directly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the accused was hidden from public behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the proceedings at a hearing in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the charges were presented.

Family members and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday hold a placard and photographs of the victims
Relatives and advocates of the victims on that day display a sign and images of the victims

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the case.

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

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," he said, as we examined the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where the individual and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and place him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again the entire event during the evidence.

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

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Alyssa Martinez
Alyssa Martinez

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