The Way the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal

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

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and momentous – occasions during thirty years of violence in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the buildings and embedded in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear day in Derry.

The demonstration was challenging the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented following multiple years of unrest.

Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a assembly carrying a young man, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly used a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a crowd transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist community.

A specific visual became especially prominent.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Father Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to defend a group moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists captured extensive video on the day.

The archive features Father Daly telling a reporter that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the district being directed to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry found the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by family members, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the district of Derry to the Guildhall holding pictures of their family members
Kin of the victims of the tragic event killings walk from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying photographs of their loved ones

Law enforcement began to investigate the events.

A military veteran, referred to as the defendant, was charged for killing.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a legal order maintaining the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the examination that he had solely shot at people who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the examination could not be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the veteran was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.

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

Family members and supporters of the deceased on the incident hold a sign and images of those killed
Kin and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday hold a placard and images of the victims

Relatives of the victims on that day travelled from the city to the judicial building every day of the case.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that attending the case would be difficult.

"I remember all details in my memory," John said, as we visited the key areas discussed in the trial – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and William McKinney were died.

"It even takes me back to my position that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

"But even with having to go through everything – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Christine Kelly
Christine Kelly

A passionate naturalist and writer with over a decade of experience in documenting Canada's diverse ecosystems and promoting environmental awareness.