How the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most fatal – and momentous – occasions in multiple decades of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and seared in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a cold but bright period in Londonderry.

The protest was opposing the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been established in response to an extended period of violence.

Father Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a crowd moving a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to protect a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

One image became particularly iconic.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained cloth while attempting to shield a assembly transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists captured much footage on the day.

The archive includes the priest informing a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of the incident was disputed by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, the administration commissioned another inquiry, in response to advocacy by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that zero among the individuals had posed any threat.

The contemporary government leader, David Cameron, expressed regret in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event shootings process from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their relatives
Relatives of the victims of the tragic event killings process from the district of the city to the municipal center carrying images of their family members

The police started to look into the matter.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

Accusations were made regarding the killings of James Wray, 22, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have argued is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were armed.

The statement was dismissed in the final report.

Material from the inquiry was unable to be used straightforwardly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In court, the defendant was hidden from public using a protective barrier.

He made statements for the first time in the hearing at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the accusations were presented.

Kin and allies of those killed on the incident hold a sign and photos of the deceased
Family members and supporters of those killed on Bloody Sunday carry a placard and photos of the deceased

Relatives of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the case.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said they understood that attending the trial would be difficult.

"I can see all details in my recollection," John said, as we visited the main locations referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where his brother was killed, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and put him in the ambulance.

"I relived every moment during the testimony.

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

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Jeffrey Ryan
Jeffrey Ryan

Elisa is a travel enthusiast and property manager with a passion for showcasing Italian culture through comfortable accommodations.