Bloody Sunday: Soldier Aims at Shooting Victim
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Bloody Sunday Trial: Witness Recounts Shooting in Glenfada Park North
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Derry, Northern ireland – Testimony continues in the trial of a former British soldier accused of the attempted murder of Joseph Mahon, who was injured during the events of Bloody Sunday on January 30, 1972. Mahon’s account details the atmosphere of fear and the sudden eruption of gunfire in Glenfada Park North.
The Events of january 30, 1972: A Timeline
Bloody Sunday unfolded during a civil rights march in Derry/Londonderry. The march, organized to protest against internment without trial, was met with resistance from the British Army. The events lead to the deaths of 13 unarmed civilians and the injury of 15 others. The incident remains a deeply sensitive and controversial topic in Northern Ireland’s history.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Approx.3:25 PM | Civil Rights March begins |
| Approx. 4:05 PM | First shots fired by British Army near the Bogside barricades. |
| Approx. 4:10 PM | Joseph Mahon takes refuge in Glenfada Park North. |
| Approx. 4:15 PM | Soldiers enter Glenfada Park North and open fire. |
| Approx. 4:20 PM | William McKinney and James Wray are fatally injured near Joseph Mahon. |
Mahon’s Testimony: Fear and Sudden Violence
Joseph Mahon,then 16 years old,testified that Glenfada Park North was considered a “safe area” by residents,one that the Army had previously avoided entering. He described a palpable sense of fear stemming from a recent altercation between the Parachute Regiment and protesters at Magilligan Beach. This prior incident heightened the community’s apprehension regarding the soldiers’ actions.
Mahon recounted witnessing three or four soldiers enter the courtyard of Glenfada Park North. He specifically noted that one soldier initially had his rifle under his arm before raising it and opening fire “from the hip.” He described the gunfire as being sprayed “like a fan,” though not fully automatic, as people desperately sought cover. This detail is crucial as it challenges potential claims of indiscriminate, fully automatic fire.
Initially, Mahon believed he had been struck by a rubber bullet, a common crowd control measure at the time. He explained that his experience differed from depictions of gunshot wounds he had seen on television, where victims were shown in extreme distress. This observation highlights the frequently enough-disorienting and initially less-painful nature of some gunshot wounds, notably those from lower-velocity rounds.
The Proximity to Fatalities: McKinney and Wray
A particularly harrowing aspect of Mahon’s testimony was his proximity to William McKinney and James Wray, both of whom were fatally injured. He described lying beside McKinney and hearing his desperate plea, “I’m hit son, I’m hit.” This direct account underscores the devastating human cost of the events of Bloody Sunday and the immediate trauma experienced by those present.
the deaths of McKinney and Wray