The Way the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal

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

January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most fatal – and consequential – days during three decades of violence in this area.

Within the community of the incident – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the walls and seared in people's minds.

A public gathering was organized on a wintry, sunny period in Londonderry.

The protest was a protest against the system of internment – detaining individuals without trial – which had been established after an extended period of violence.

Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a crowd transporting a teenager, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a crowd moving a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the elite army unit shot dead multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly republican population.

One image became particularly iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, using a bloodied fabric in his effort to shield a assembly carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains the priest informing a journalist that soldiers "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Individuals in the Bogside area being taken to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being taken to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry determined the military had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

The contemporary head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – declaring killings were "improper and unacceptable."

Relatives of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the district of Londonderry to the civic building carrying photographs of their relatives
Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building carrying pictures of their loved ones

The police began to examine the incident.

One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was charged for murder.

He was charged regarding the killings of one victim, 22, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a legal order maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his attorneys have argued is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He told the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were armed.

That claim was disputed in the official findings.

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

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

He spoke for the opening instance in court at a proceeding in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Kin and supporters of the deceased on the incident hold a sign and photos of those killed
Kin and advocates of the deceased on the incident hold a sign and photographs of those killed

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Derry to the judicial building every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the trial would be painful.

"I remember everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the trial – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I assisted with my brother and place him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again every moment during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding having to go through everything – it's still valuable for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Thomas Martinez
Thomas Martinez

A tech-savvy writer passionate about simplifying complex topics for everyday readers, with a background in digital media.