The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and significant – dates during multiple decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are visible on the walls and seared in public consciousness.

A public gathering was held on a cold but bright afternoon in Derry.

The demonstration was opposing the system of internment – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following an extended period of violence.

A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to shield a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to defend a crowd transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly republican community.

One image became especially iconic.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, displaying a blood-stained cloth while attempting to shield a group transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators documented considerable film on the day.

The archive includes Fr Daly informing a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of events wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal found the Army had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, the ruling party established a new investigation, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had fired first and that not one of the victims had been armed.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating killings were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Kin of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the neighborhood of Derry to the civic building carrying photographs of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the neighborhood of Derry to the civic building holding photographs of their family members

Law enforcement began to examine the matter.

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

Accusations were made over the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at threat.

He stated to the investigation that he had solely shot at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was rejected in the final report.

Information from the examination would not be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the accused was screened from view behind a protective barrier.

He spoke for the opening instance in court at a session in that month, to reply "not responsible" when the accusations were read.

Family members and advocates of the victims on the incident display a sign and images of the deceased
Kin and allies of the victims on the incident display a sign and photographs of the deceased

Family members of those who were killed on that day travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the trial.

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

"I can see all details in my memory," the relative said, as we visited the main locations referenced in the trial – from the street, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I assisted with my brother and put him in the ambulance.

"I relived every moment during the proceedings.

"But even with experiencing everything – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on the incident
Tammy Bonilla
Tammy Bonilla

A seasoned content curator specializing in adult entertainment, with a passion for sharing high-quality media and insights.