How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal
Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most fatal – and consequential – occasions during three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
Within the community of the incident – the images of the tragic events are displayed on the walls and seared in collective memory.
A public gathering was held on a cold but bright afternoon in Londonderry.
The protest was challenging the practice of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of conflict.
Troops from the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly republican community.
A particular photograph became especially prominent.
Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a blood-stained fabric in his effort to defend a crowd transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.
Journalists captured much footage on the day.
The archive includes Fr Daly informing a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the shooting.
This account of what happened was rejected by the original examination.
The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been shot at first.
Throughout the peace process, the administration commissioned a fresh examination, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.
In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the paratroopers had fired first and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.
The contemporary head of state, the leader, apologised in the government chamber – saying deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."
Law enforcement commenced investigate the matter.
One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.
Accusations were made concerning the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.
Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm several people, additional persons, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.
There is a legal order maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is necessary because he is at risk of attack.
He testified the investigation that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.
This assertion was dismissed in the concluding document.
Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as proof in the legal proceedings.
In court, the veteran was screened from view behind a protective barrier.
He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a session in that month, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were presented.
Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the judicial building each day of the case.
John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that attending the case would be emotional.
"I visualize everything in my recollection," John said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and the second person were fatally wounded.
"It returns me to my location that day.
"I assisted with the victim and lay him in the medical transport.
"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.
"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still valuable for me."