Bloody Sunday: Victim Faked Death After Shooting – Trial Update
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Bloody Sunday Trial: Witness Recounts Feigning death, Soldier F Pleads Not Guilty
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Belfast Crown Court hears harrowing testimony from a survivor of the 1972 shooting, as the trial of Soldier F continues. The case revisits one of the most controversial events of The Troubles.
The Testimony of Joe Mahon
Joe mahon, a survivor of Bloody Sunday, testified on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, recounting the terrifying moments he was shot during the 1972 civil rights march in Derry, Northern Ireland. Mahon, who was 16 at the time, described pretending to be dead to avoid further gunfire.
According to Mahon’s testimony, he attended the civil rights march and subsequently went to Glenfada Park after hearing reports of shootings. He witnessed soldiers entering the park and opening fire on a gathering of people. He specifically recalled seeing a soldier shoot at another victim already lying on the ground, reportedly stating, “I’ve got another one.”
Mahon’s account provides a chilling first-hand perspective on the events of that day,adding to the growing body of evidence presented in the trial.
The Charges Against Soldier F
Soldier F, whose identity is protected by a curtain in court, faces charges of the murders of james Wray and William McKinney, and five counts of attempted murder. The attempted murder charges relate to injuries sustained by Joe Mahon, Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Patrick O’Donnell, and an unidentified individual.
He has pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.The trial is being held without a jury, a common practice in cases involving national security or sensitive historical events in Northern Ireland.
Bloody Sunday: A Historical Overview
Bloody Sunday occurred on January 30, 1972, when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civil rights protesters in Derry, Northern Ireland. Thirteen people were killed and fifteen were wounded. The march was organized to protest against internment without trial, a policy implemented by the British government during the troubles.
The events of Bloody Sunday sparked widespread outrage and fueled support for paramilitary groups on both sides of the conflict. The Widgery Tribunal, the initial inquiry into the shootings, was widely criticized for it’s findings, which largely exonerated the soldiers involved. [RESEARCH NEEDED: Details of Widgery Tribunal criticisms].
A second, more thorough inquiry, the Saville Inquiry, was launched in 1998 and published its findings in 2010.the Saville Report unequivocally stated that the shootings were “unjustified and unjustifiable” and that no provocation had justified the soldiers’ actions. The report led to a formal apology from then-Prime Minister David Cameron on behalf of the British government.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 30, 1972 | Bloody Sunday: 13 |