The Way the Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

Youths in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as one of the deadliest – and consequential – days throughout three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of that fateful day are painted on the structures and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny period in Derry.

The protest was challenging the system of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been put in place after three years of unrest.

Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a group transporting a youth, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to protect a group moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the elite army unit killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, displaying a bloodied cloth while attempting to defend a group carrying a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Journalists captured extensive video on the day.

Historical records features Father Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the district being directed to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being taken to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of events was disputed by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry found the military had been attacked first.

During the peace process, the administration commissioned another inquiry, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – declaring deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."

Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings walk from the district of the city to the civic building holding images of their loved ones
Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center holding pictures of their relatives

Authorities started to look into the events.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.

Accusations were made over the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The accused was also accused of attempting to murder multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unknown person.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were possessing firearms.

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination could not be used directly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the defendant was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He spoke for the opening instance in the hearing at a session in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.

Kin and allies of the deceased on the incident hold a placard and photographs of those killed
Family members and supporters of those killed on that day hold a placard and photographs of the deceased

Kin of those who were killed on that day journeyed from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the case.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.

"I remember all details in my memory," John said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the trial – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjacent the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I assisted with the victim and place him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

"But even with enduring everything – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Sherri Merritt
Sherri Merritt

A passionate travel writer and local guide with deep roots in Lombok, sharing authentic stories and expert advice.