How the Trial of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Case Dismissal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and momentous – days in multiple decades of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and seared in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny period in Derry.

The march was a protest against the policy of internment – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following three years of conflict.

A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a group carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly displayed a bloodied fabric in an effort to shield a assembly moving a young man, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the specialized division shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

One image became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to protect a group carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists captured extensive video on the day.

The archive includes Fr Daly informing a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Civilians in the district being directed to arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of events was disputed by the original examination.

The initial inquiry found the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the negotiation period, the administration commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that generally, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

At that time head of state, David Cameron, expressed regret in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the deceased of the tragic event fatalities process from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the civic building holding images of their loved ones
Kin of the deceased of the tragic event killings process from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall carrying photographs of their loved ones

The police began to investigate the incident.

A military veteran, known as the defendant, was brought to trial for murder.

He was charged regarding the deaths of James Wray, 22, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was additionally charged of attempting to murder several people, Joseph Friel, more people, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a court ruling preserving the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is required because he is at threat.

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

This assertion was dismissed in the concluding document.

Material from the inquiry would not be used straightforwardly as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public behind a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in court at a proceeding in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were presented.

Family members and advocates of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a banner and images of those killed
Kin and allies of the deceased on Bloody Sunday hold a sign and images of the victims

Family members of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the case.

John Kelly, whose sibling was killed, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.

"I can see all details in my memory," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the case – from the street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where the individual and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to my location that day.

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

"I relived each detail during the proceedings.

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

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Jason Sherman
Jason Sherman

A seasoned network engineer with over a decade of experience in IT infrastructure and cybersecurity.

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