How this Prosecution of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains among the most deadly – and significant – occasions in multiple decades of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a cold but bright day in the city.

The protest was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented after three years of unrest.

A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a assembly carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to shield a group carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly republican population.

One image became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, displaying a bloodied cloth while attempting to protect a assembly moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records features the priest explaining to a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Individuals in the district being marched towards arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the neighborhood being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened was rejected by the original examination.

The initial inquiry concluded the military had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had presented danger.

At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – saying killings were "improper and unacceptable."

Families of the deceased of the tragic event shootings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the municipal center holding images of their loved ones
Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the district of the city to the civic building displaying photographs of their relatives

Law enforcement began to look into the events.

A military veteran, identified as the defendant, was brought to trial for homicide.

Accusations were made concerning the fatalities of James Wray, 22, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision protecting the defendant's identity protection, which his lawyers have argued is required because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was rejected in the concluding document.

Information from the inquiry was unable to be used straightforwardly as testimony in the court case.

In the dock, the defendant was shielded from sight using a protective barrier.

He made statements for the opening instance in the hearing at a hearing in late 2024, to answer "innocent" when the charges were put to him.

Family members and supporters of the deceased on the incident hold a banner and photos of the deceased
Kin and advocates of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a placard and photos of the deceased

Family members of those who were killed on that day journeyed from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they were aware that listening to the case would be emotional.

"I can see all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we examined the key areas mentioned in the case – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and place him in the medical transport.

"I relived each detail during the evidence.

"But even with having to go through all that – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Jose Mitchell
Jose Mitchell

A passionate storyteller and travel enthusiast dedicated to preserving life's fleeting moments through words and images.