The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and momentous – days in multiple decades of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and seared in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was challenging the system of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been put in place following an extended period of violence.

Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a young man, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to defend a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became especially iconic.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, displaying a stained with blood cloth while attempting to protect a group moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts includes Father Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Civilians in the neighborhood being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the district being directed to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the Army had been shot at first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the administration commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

At that time government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – saying killings were "improper and unacceptable."

Kin of the deceased of the tragic event shootings process from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building displaying photographs of their loved ones
Relatives of the victims of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building displaying photographs of their relatives

The police began to look into the matter.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for killing.

He was charged concerning the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was also accused of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unknown person.

There is a court ruling maintaining the defendant's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is required because he is at threat.

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

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Material from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.

In the dock, the defendant was hidden from public behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to reply "not responsible" when the accusations were presented.

Relatives and advocates of the victims on the incident hold a banner and images of the victims
Relatives and allies of those killed on the incident hold a sign and photographs of the victims

Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

One relative, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the case would be difficult.

"I remember everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the case – from the street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I relived every moment during the evidence.

"Despite experiencing all that – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on the incident
Christina Young
Christina Young

A passionate historian and travel writer specializing in Italian cultural heritage and preservation efforts.