How this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

Youths in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as among the deadliest – and consequential – dates during multiple decades of violence in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a wintry, sunny day in Londonderry.

The protest was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established following multiple years of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a assembly moving a youth, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a assembly carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the specialized division shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist community.

A particular photograph became especially prominent.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, waving a bloodied cloth as he tried to shield a group moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts features Fr Daly explaining to a media representative that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being taken to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

This account of events was disputed by the initial investigation.

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

In the peace process, the administration established a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

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

Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the district of Derry to the civic building holding pictures of their loved ones
Kin of the victims of the 1972 incident killings march from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying pictures of their family members

Law enforcement started to examine the matter.

An ex-soldier, referred to as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a court ruling maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is required because he is at danger.

He stated to the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were armed.

The statement was dismissed in the official findings.

Evidence from the investigation would not be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

In court, the veteran was hidden from public with a blue curtain.

He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the accusations were presented.

Relatives and allies of the deceased on the incident carry a placard and photographs of the victims
Kin and supporters of the victims on that day hold a placard and photographs of the victims

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they understood that hearing the case would be emotional.

"I remember all details in my memory," John said, as we visited the primary sites discussed in the trial – from the location, where the victim was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were fatally wounded.

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

"I participated in moving my brother and put him in the medical transport.

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding experiencing everything – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were died on the incident
John Anderson
John Anderson

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