The Way the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and significant – days throughout three decades of conflict in this area.

Within the community of the incident – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and etched in collective memory.

A civil rights march was conducted on a wintry, sunny day in Derry.

The march was a protest against the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without trial – which had been put in place following three years of unrest.

Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a crowd moving a young man, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a group carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, the priest, displaying a stained with blood fabric as he tried to protect a crowd moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains the priest telling a journalist that troops "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

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

This account of events was disputed by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the Army had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the individuals had been armed.

The contemporary government leader, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying images of their family members
Kin of the casualties of the tragic event killings walk from the district of Derry to the Guildhall carrying photographs of their relatives

Authorities commenced investigate the matter.

An ex-soldier, referred to as Soldier F, was brought to trial for killing.

Accusations were made concerning the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.

The accused was also accused of attempting to murder several people, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Exists a court ruling protecting the veteran's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at people who were carrying weapons.

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Information from the examination was unable to be used directly as testimony in the court case.

In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight with a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a proceeding in late 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were read.

Relatives and supporters of the deceased on that day hold a banner and photos of the victims
Kin and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday carry a placard and photographs of the deceased

Kin of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse each day of the case.

One relative, whose relative was killed, said they understood that listening to the case would be painful.

"I can see the events in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and put him in the medical transport.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"But even with having to go through everything – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were killed on the incident
James Green
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