The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Protesters in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and significant – dates in three decades of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and etched in collective memory.

A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear day in Derry.

The demonstration was a protest against the policy of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without trial – which had been established after three years of unrest.

Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a assembly carrying a youth, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a crowd transporting a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the specialized division killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.

A particular photograph became notably memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, waving a bloodied fabric in his effort to protect a assembly transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists documented extensive video on the day.

Historical records features Father Daly telling a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Civilians in the district being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of the incident was rejected by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the conclusion by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the individuals had presented danger.

The contemporary Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologised in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "improper and unacceptable."

Families of the deceased of the tragic event killings walk from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center holding photographs of their relatives
Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday killings process from the district of Derry to the Guildhall displaying images of their relatives

The police began to look into the events.

A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a court ruling preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Information from the investigation would not be used directly as evidence in the court case.

During the trial, the defendant was screened from view with a blue curtain.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Family members and allies of those killed on the incident display a banner and photos of those killed
Relatives and advocates of those killed on the incident display a sign and photos of the deceased

Relatives of the deceased on the incident journeyed from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.

"I remember all details in my memory," John said, as we walked around the primary sites referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"But even with experiencing all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Kristina Myers
Kristina Myers

Award-winning journalist and digital content creator with a passion for storytelling and current affairs.