How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal

Protesters in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – dates in thirty years of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and embedded in people's minds.

A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright period in the city.

The protest was opposing the system of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following multiple years of unrest.

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

Troops from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly nationalist population.

A specific visual became particularly memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood cloth in his effort to protect a crowd transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators recorded considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes Father Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.

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

The narrative of the incident was rejected by the original examination.

The initial inquiry concluded the Army had been attacked first.

During the peace process, the ruling party established a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the report by the inquiry said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

The then government leader, the leader, apologised in the House of Commons – stating killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities process from the district of the city to the civic building carrying pictures of their loved ones
Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday killings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall displaying images of their loved ones

Authorities commenced look into the matter.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the accused, was brought to trial for killing.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a legal order preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at risk of attack.

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

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Information from the examination was unable to be used directly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the defendant was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the first time in the proceedings at a hearing in that month, to respond "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Kin and allies of those killed on that day display a banner and photos of those killed
Relatives and supporters of the victims on that day carry a banner and images of the victims

Relatives of the deceased on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the judicial building daily of the case.

A family member, whose sibling was killed, said they were aware that attending the trial would be painful.

"I visualize the events in my memory," the relative said, as we walked around the primary sites mentioned in the case – from the street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.

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

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

"I relived the entire event during the testimony.

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

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on the incident
Sandra Nguyen
Sandra Nguyen

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on society, with a background in computer science.