The Way this Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Youths in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and consequential – days during thirty years of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area where it happened – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was organized on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Londonderry.

The protest was challenging the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without due process – which had been put in place following three years of violence.

Fr Edward Daly used a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a assembly transporting a youth, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to protect a group transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the elite army unit fatally wounded 13 people in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

One image became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to protect a crowd moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records contains the priest explaining to a journalist that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being taken to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being taken to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of events wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the Army had been shot at first.

During the negotiation period, the administration established another inquiry, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had fired first and that none of the victims had presented danger.

At that time head of state, the leader, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident shootings walk from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall displaying photographs of their relatives
Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall displaying images of their relatives

Law enforcement commenced look into the events.

One former paratrooper, identified as the defendant, was prosecuted for murder.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was further implicated of seeking to harm multiple individuals, other civilians, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the final report.

Information from the inquiry could not be used directly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the veteran was screened from view with a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Family members and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a sign and photos of the deceased
Kin and allies of the victims on that day hold a placard and images of the deceased

Kin of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Derry to the judicial building each day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose relative was killed, said they understood that hearing the trial would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we examined the main locations discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby the area, where James Wray and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and put him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again every moment during the proceedings.

"But even with enduring all that – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were died on Bloody Sunday
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

A tech enthusiast and software developer with a passion for AI and open-source projects.