The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Case Dismissal

Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and momentous – days during thirty years of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are painted on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny period in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without due process – which had been put in place in response to three years of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to defend a group carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the specialized division killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican area.

A particular photograph became notably iconic.

Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, using a bloodied white handkerchief in his effort to protect a assembly carrying a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators documented considerable film on the day.

The archive includes the priest telling a journalist that soldiers "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Civilians in the neighborhood being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of events wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The first investigation found the Army had been shot at first.

In the peace process, the administration commissioned another inquiry, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that none of the casualties had been armed.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, apologised in the government chamber – saying fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities march from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying photographs of their loved ones
Kin of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings process from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall holding images of their relatives

Law enforcement commenced look into the events.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder.

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

The defendant was additionally charged of seeking to harm multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the defendant's privacy, which his attorneys have argued is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the examination that he had solely shot at people who were possessing firearms.

The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the inquiry would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.

During the trial, the defendant was screened from view using a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the charges were read.

Kin and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and images of those killed
Relatives and allies of the victims on Bloody Sunday display a placard and photographs of the deceased

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

One relative, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the proceedings would be painful.

"I remember all details in my memory," John said, as we visited the main locations referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby the area, where the individual and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and place him in the vehicle.

"I relived each detail during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Laura Madden
Laura Madden

A tech journalist with over a decade of experience, passionate about reviewing gadgets and sharing innovative tech solutions.