Bloody Sunday (1972) was a dark chapter in the sunday-3″ title=”Joy Sunday”>history of the Northern Ireland conflict which lasted for three decades. On that fateful day, 13 peaceful civil rights protestors were killed and dozens more injured by British soldiers. The incident sparked outrage and amplified the conflict between nationalists and unionists.

The origins of the conflict in Northern Ireland can be traced back to the partition of Ireland in 1921. The partition led to the formation of two countries, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which remained part of the United Kingdom. The unionists, who were mostly Protestants, wanted to remain part of the UK, while the nationalists, who were mostly Catholics, wanted reunification with the Republic of Ireland.

In the late 1960s, a civil rights movement emerged in Northern Ireland, demanding an end to discrimination against Catholics in housing, employment, and politics. The civil rights movement was met with violence by loyalist groups and the police, who were predominantly Protestant. The British Army was deployed to maintain order, but they soon became embroiled in the conflict.

On January 30, 1972, a civil rights march was organized in Derry by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. The march was intended to be peaceful, but tensions were high due to the history of violence in the region. The British Army had a strong presence in Derry, and they were on high alert.

As the march progressed, the situation quickly deteriorated. Stones were thrown at the soldiers, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. At some point, shots were fired, allegedly from the crowd. The soldiers, who were heavily armed, opened fire on the protestors, killing 13 and injuring 15 more. Most of the dead and injured were unarmed and innocent bystanders.

The incident shook Northern Ireland and the world. The British government ordered an inquiry, the Widgery Tribunal, to investigate the events of Bloody Sunday. The tribunal exonerated the soldiers and blamed the protestors for the violence. The families of the victims and the nationalist community rejected the findings and demanded justice.

It wasn’t until 2010 that a new inquiry, the Saville Tribunal, was established to re-examine the events of Bloody Sunday. The Saville Tribunal spent 12 years and over £200 million investigating the incident. In 2010, they released their findings, which delivered a damning verdict on the conduct of the soldiers on the day.

The Saville Tribunal concluded that the soldiers had fired without warning at unarmed civilians, who posed no threat to them. They also found that the soldiers had lied the events of the day and attempted to cover up their actions. The report was a vindication for the families of the victims, who had campaigned tirelessly for justice for almost 40 years.

Bloody Sunday remains a controversial and divisive incident in the history of Northern Ireland. The incident played a significant role in the escalation of the conflict and contributed to the cycle of violence that lasted for decades. The legacy of Bloody Sunday is felt to this day, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the need for justice and accountability. The families of the victims continue to push for the prosecution of the soldiers responsible for the killings, and their struggle is a testament to the enduring impact of Bloody Sunday.

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