How the Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Protesters in a stand-off with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as one of the most deadly – and consequential – dates in three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Within the community of the incident – the memories of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and seared in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.

The protest was opposing the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established in response to multiple years of violence.

Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a crowd carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest waved a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a crowd moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the elite army unit shot dead multiple civilians in the district – which was, and still is, a strongly nationalist community.

A specific visual became especially prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a blood-stained fabric as he tried to protect a crowd moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

News camera operators recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts contains Father Daly informing a media representative that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards 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 soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

That year, the findings by the investigation said that on balance, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

The then head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."

Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event fatalities process from the district of Derry to the Guildhall carrying photographs of their family members
Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying pictures of their relatives

Authorities began to look into the matter.

A military veteran, known as the defendant, was charged for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder multiple individuals, additional persons, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at danger.

He testified the investigation that he had solely shot at people who were possessing firearms.

That claim was rejected in the concluding document.

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

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public using a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the first time in court at a proceeding in December 2024, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Family members and allies of the victims on the incident hold a sign and images of those killed
Kin and supporters of the victims on that day hold a sign and images of the deceased

Relatives of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the courthouse each day of the case.

One relative, whose relative was died, said they were aware that listening to the trial would be emotional.

"I can see the events in my memory," John said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and the second person were died.

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

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding enduring all that – it's still valuable for me."

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

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