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

Youths in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and momentous – occasions throughout multiple decades of unrest in the region.

In the streets where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the structures and etched in collective memory.

A public gathering was conducted on a cold but bright day in the city.

The protest was a protest against the system of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been established following three years of violence.

Fr Edward Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a crowd transporting a teenager, the injured teenager
Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to defend a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager

Troops from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly memorable.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a stained with blood fabric as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains the priest telling a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Protesters in the neighborhood being directed to arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being taken to arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

This account of the incident was rejected by the original examination.

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

During the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the individuals had posed any threat.

At that time government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – saying deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."

Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event killings walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the Guildhall carrying images of their relatives
Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event fatalities walk from the neighborhood of Derry to the municipal center holding images of their family members

The police commenced examine the matter.

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

Indictments were filed over the deaths of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was additionally charged of seeking to harm multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, another person, and an unknown person.

Exists a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at danger.

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

This assertion was dismissed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used directly as evidence in the court case.

During the trial, the veteran was screened from view with a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin and supporters of the deceased on that day carry a placard and images of those killed
Kin and allies of the victims on Bloody Sunday hold a sign and photographs of those killed

Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to the courthouse daily of the case.

A family member, whose relative was killed, said they were aware that attending the case would be emotional.

"I remember the events in my memory," the relative said, as we examined the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where one victim and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I assisted with the victim and put him in the medical transport.

"I went through each detail during the evidence.

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

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Kevin Baker
Kevin Baker

A passionate music enthusiast and cultural commentator with a knack for uncovering hidden gems in the arts scene.