How the prosecution of Soldier F ended in acquittal

The trial of an Army veteran over Bloody Sunday ended in acquittal after a long and tumultuous legal process. Sunday, January 30, 1972, marked one of the deadliest and most impactful days in Northern Ireland during the decades-long conflict. The images of Bloody Sunday are deeply ingrained in the memories of those who witnessed the events unfold in Londonderry as a civil rights march turned tragic.

During the peaceful demonstration, which aimed to protest against the practice of internment without trial, soldiers from the Parachute Regiment opened fire in the Bogside area, resulting in the deaths of 13 people. One poignant image captured Catholic priest Fr Edward Daly waving a blood-stained handkerchief while trying to shield a group carrying fatally wounded teenager Jackie Duddy. The ensuing investigation painted a different picture from the initial narrative, with the Widgery Tribunal suggesting that the Army had been fired upon first.

Amid mounting pressure from bereaved families and a desire for justice, a new inquiry was launched in 2010, which ultimately determined that the paratroopers had indeed fired first and that the victims posed no threat. The subsequent trial of Soldier F, who faced charges related to specific killings on Bloody Sunday, unfolded with the veteran shielded from view behind a blue curtain in the courtroom. Despite his claims of only shooting at armed individuals, the final report rejected this defense. Soldier F stood trial with the support and presence of families and supporters seeking closure and justice for the tragic events of Bloody Sunday

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