How this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Youths in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as one of the most deadly – and significant – occasions during thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Within the community where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are visible on the walls and etched in people's minds.

A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in the city.

The march was a protest against the system of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place after three years of conflict.

A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to shield a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager
Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a group transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the elite army unit shot dead 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly nationalist population.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, the priest, waving a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a assembly transporting a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts contains Father Daly informing a journalist that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of the incident was disputed by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry determined the military had been attacked first.

In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the individuals had presented danger.

At that time head of state, the leader, apologised in the Parliament – saying killings were "improper and inexcusable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the district of Londonderry to the civic building carrying pictures of their relatives
Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the municipal center holding photographs of their relatives

Authorities began to examine the matter.

An ex-soldier, identified as the defendant, was charged for homicide.

Accusations were made over the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and 26-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was further implicated of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Remains a legal order protecting the defendant's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were armed.

The statement was rejected in the official findings.

Material from the inquiry could not be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.

In the dock, the defendant was hidden from public using a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a hearing in that month, to reply "innocent" when the allegations were presented.

Relatives and supporters of those killed on the incident hold a sign and photos of the deceased
Relatives and allies of the deceased on the incident hold a sign and photos of those killed

Relatives of those who were killed on the incident travelled from the city to the judicial building each day of the case.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was died, said they understood that attending the case would be painful.

"I remember the events in my memory," the relative said, as we walked around the primary sites referenced in the case – from the street, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It even takes me back to my position that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and put him in the medical transport.

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

"But even with having to go through everything – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Nathaniel Anderson
Nathaniel Anderson

A passionate food critic and home chef with over a decade of experience in exploring global cuisines and sharing culinary insights.