The Way this Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the most fatal – and consequential – occasions during thirty years of conflict in this area.

Within the community where it happened – the legacy of that fateful day are painted on the structures and etched in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.

The protest was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented after an extended period of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a crowd carrying a youth, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a assembly transporting a young man, the injured teenager

Troops from the elite army unit killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist population.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, displaying a blood-stained cloth while attempting to protect a group moving a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists captured much footage on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Individuals in the district being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being directed to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

This account of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

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

In the negotiation period, the administration established a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that on balance, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying killings were "improper and unacceptable."

Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident fatalities march from the Bogside area of Derry to the Guildhall displaying pictures of their loved ones
Families of the victims of the 1972 incident fatalities walk from the district of Derry to the Guildhall carrying images of their relatives

Authorities began to look into the incident.

A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.

Indictments were filed concerning the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was additionally charged of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a court ruling preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

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

That claim was dismissed in the official findings.

Information from the inquiry was unable to be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the accused was hidden from public using a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the first time in the proceedings at a session in that month, to answer "innocent" when the accusations were read.

Family members and advocates of the deceased on that day display a placard and images of the victims
Kin and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a banner and images of the victims

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday travelled from the city to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be difficult.

"I visualize the events in my recollection," John said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where the individual and William McKinney were killed.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I assisted with my brother and place him in the vehicle.

"I relived every moment during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still valuable for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Ryan Warner
Ryan Warner

A certified financial planner with over 15 years of experience in retirement strategies and pension management.

Popular Post