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

Youths in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most fatal – and momentous – occasions during multiple decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the images of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was held on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Londonderry.

The march was challenging the practice of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established after multiple years of conflict.

Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly republican population.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Images showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to defend a assembly carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

The archive contains Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that soldiers "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

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

That version of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal found the military had been shot at first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government set up a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

That year, the findings by Lord Saville said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Relatives of the victims of the tragic event shootings walk from the district of Derry to the municipal center displaying photographs of their family members
Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event shootings process from the neighborhood of Derry to the municipal center displaying photographs of their loved ones

Authorities commenced look into the events.

One former paratrooper, known as the accused, was brought to trial for killing.

Indictments were filed over the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder several people, additional persons, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a judicial decision protecting the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is essential because he is at threat.

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

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin and advocates of the victims on that day hold a sign and photographs of the deceased
Kin and advocates of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and photos of the victims

Relatives of the victims on the incident journeyed from the city to the courthouse every day of the trial.

A family member, whose sibling was died, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be difficult.

"I can see all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and put him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again each detail during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding enduring the process – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were died on Bloody Sunday
John Hardin
John Hardin

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