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

Protesters in a stand-off with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and momentous – dates during multiple decades of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are visible on the structures and embedded in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny period in the city.

The march was challenging the system of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been put in place in response to three years of conflict.

Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a crowd carrying a youth, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the elite army unit killed 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist population.

A specific visual became particularly iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a bloodied white handkerchief in his effort to protect a assembly carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.

The archive features Father Daly informing a reporter that soldiers "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Protesters in the district being taken to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being taken to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

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

In the negotiation period, the administration established another inquiry, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that overall, the military personnel had fired first and that none of the individuals had posed any threat.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the government chamber – stating fatalities were "improper and unjustifiable."

Kin of the deceased of the tragic event fatalities process from the district of the city to the Guildhall holding pictures of their relatives
Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the district of Derry to the Guildhall holding pictures of their relatives

Law enforcement started to look into the events.

A military veteran, identified as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the killings of the first individual, 22, and 26-year-old another victim.

The defendant was additionally charged of attempting to murder several people, additional persons, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling protecting the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He told the examination that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

That claim was rejected in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.

In the dock, the veteran was screened from view using a protective barrier.

He made statements for the first time in the hearing at a session in that month, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.

Family members and supporters of those killed on that day carry a banner and photos of the victims
Kin and advocates of the victims on the incident display a sign and photos of those killed

Kin of the deceased on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they understood that attending the proceedings would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the main locations discussed in the case – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby the area, where James Wray and William McKinney were died.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I assisted with Michael and put him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.

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

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were died on the incident
Selena Mckay
Selena Mckay

A passionate storyteller with a background in creative writing, blending traditional myths with modern themes.