How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Protesters in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the most fatal – and momentous – dates during three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a wintry, sunny period in the city.

The march was a protest against the system of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented after three years of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a group moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly used a bloodied fabric in an effort to shield a crowd moving a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly republican population.

A particular photograph became especially prominent.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, waving a blood-stained cloth while attempting to protect a group transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

News camera operators documented much footage on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly informing a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

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

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

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government set up a new investigation, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that on balance, the paratroopers had fired first and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the government chamber – declaring fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the district of Londonderry to the Guildhall carrying images of their family members
Kin of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities process from the district of the city to the municipal center displaying images of their loved ones

The police commenced examine the matter.

An ex-soldier, referred to as Soldier F, was brought to trial for killing.

Indictments were filed over the fatalities of James Wray, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a court ruling maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were armed.

The statement was disputed in the final report.

Material from the examination would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was screened from view with a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the first time in court at a session in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Family members and allies of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and photos of the deceased
Kin and allies of the deceased on the incident display a banner and photos of those killed

Kin of the deceased on the incident journeyed from Derry to the judicial building daily of the trial.

One relative, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that attending the case would be painful.

"I can see all details in my recollection," the relative said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and William McKinney were died.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and place him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again the entire event during the proceedings.

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

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Alyssa Palmer
Alyssa Palmer

Elena is a sound designer and audio engineer with over a decade of experience in creating immersive auditory experiences for diverse media.