How this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

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

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the deadliest – and significant – dates in three decades of violence in this area.

In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Derry.

The protest was a protest against the system of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without trial – which had been established in response to multiple years of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the injured teenager
Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to defend a group carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly republican area.

One image became especially memorable.

Images showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood cloth as he tried to shield a group transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts contains Father Daly telling a journalist that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of the incident was disputed by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal found the Army had been fired upon initially.

In the negotiation period, the administration set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

At that time head of state, the leader, apologised in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "improper and unacceptable."

Kin of the casualties of the tragic event killings walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the municipal center holding images of their relatives
Families of the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center carrying pictures of their relatives

Authorities started to examine the events.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for homicide.

Indictments were filed over the fatalities of James Wray, twenty-two, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was also accused of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Remains a legal order maintaining the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at danger.

He testified the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Information from the examination would not be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in court at a session in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.

Relatives and advocates of the victims on Bloody Sunday display a sign and images of the deceased
Relatives and allies of the victims on that day hold a placard and photos of those killed

Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday travelled from the city to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

A family member, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the case would be emotional.

"I remember everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the case – from the street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and place him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again each detail during the testimony.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Deborah Williams
Deborah Williams

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about digital trends and innovation, sharing insights to inspire creativity and progress.