The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

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

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

Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.

A civil rights march was organized on a cold but bright period in Derry.

The demonstration was a protest against the system of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following multiple years of unrest.

A Catholic priest waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a group moving a youth, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest displayed a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a group carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the elite army unit killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

One image became especially memorable.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, the priest, waving a bloodied white handkerchief in his effort to protect a crowd transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Journalists documented much footage on the day.

Historical records features the priest explaining to a media representative that soldiers "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the district being directed to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

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

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the military had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

At that time Prime Minister, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the Guildhall displaying photographs of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday killings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall carrying images of their family members

The police began to examine the incident.

A military veteran, referred to as the defendant, was prosecuted for murder.

He was charged concerning the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order maintaining the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have maintained is required because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had only fired at people who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Information from the inquiry could not be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

In court, the defendant was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.

He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a proceeding in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin and advocates of the victims on that day display a banner and images of the victims
Family members and allies of those killed on that day hold a placard and images of the deceased

Family members of the victims on that day journeyed from Derry to the judicial building daily of the case.

A family member, whose brother Michael was died, said they understood that hearing the case would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were killed.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I relived every moment during the evidence.

"Despite having to go through everything – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were fatally wounded on the incident
Samuel Barnes
Samuel Barnes

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