How the Trial of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and consequential – occasions in multiple decades of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the walls and etched in people's minds.

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

The demonstration was opposing the system of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented after three years 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 while attempting to protect a crowd carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a predominantly republican area.

One image became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a blood-stained fabric in his effort to defend a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records features the priest explaining to a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

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

The first investigation determined the military had been shot at first.

In the peace process, the ruling party established a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that generally, the paratroopers had fired first and that zero among the individuals had presented danger.

The then government leader, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – declaring deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings march from the district of the city to the civic building holding pictures of their family members
Kin of the victims of the tragic event fatalities march from the district of Londonderry to the civic building carrying pictures of their loved ones

Authorities started to investigate the incident.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for killing.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm several people, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision preserving the veteran's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at threat.

He testified the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was dismissed in the concluding document.

Information from the examination could not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight behind a protective barrier.

He spoke for the first time in the proceedings at a proceeding in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.

Kin and allies of the victims on the incident carry a banner and photographs of the deceased
Kin and allies of the victims on the incident display a placard and photos of those killed

Kin of those who were killed on the incident journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the trial would be painful.

"I remember the events in my memory," the relative said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were killed.

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

"I participated in moving my brother and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding experiencing everything – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were died on the incident
John Thomas
John Thomas

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