The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

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

January 30th, 1972 stands as one of the most deadly – and significant – dates in thirty years of conflict in the region.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of the tragic events are painted on the structures and etched in collective memory.

A civil rights march was organized on a cold but bright period in Derry.

The march was opposing the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place following three years of unrest.

Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to shield a group moving a youth, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a assembly transporting a young man, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the elite army unit killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly Irish nationalist population.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a bloodied fabric in his effort to defend a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Journalists recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records includes the priest explaining to a reporter that troops "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Individuals in the Bogside area being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident was disputed by the first inquiry.

The first investigation concluded the Army had been attacked first.

Throughout the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that generally, the soldiers had fired first and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – declaring fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the Bogside area of the city to the municipal center carrying images of their loved ones
Kin of the victims of the tragic event fatalities walk from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center displaying images of their relatives

Law enforcement commenced look into the incident.

An ex-soldier, known as the accused, was charged for homicide.

Accusations were made over the deaths of James Wray, twenty-two, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm several people, additional persons, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

There is a legal order maintaining the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

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

The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.

Information from the inquiry could not be used straightforwardly as testimony in the court case.

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

He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the accusations were presented.

Family members and supporters of the deceased on that day display a sign and images of the deceased
Kin and supporters of the victims on that day carry a sign and photos of those killed

Kin of the deceased on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to the judicial building each day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose brother Michael was died, said they understood that attending the trial would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the case – from the street, where his brother was killed, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and another victim were killed.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and lay him in the ambulance.

"I relived the entire event during the testimony.

"Despite having to go through the process – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Ricardo Harrison
Ricardo Harrison

Renewable energy advocate and sustainability blogger with a passion for eco-friendly innovations.