The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

January 30th, 1972 remains among the deadliest – and momentous – occasions throughout multiple decades of unrest in this area.

In the streets where it happened – the images of that fateful day are visible on the walls and etched in public consciousness.

A public gathering was conducted on a cold but bright period in the city.

The demonstration was a protest against the system of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented after three years of unrest.

Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to defend a assembly moving a young man, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to shield a crowd carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican area.

A particular photograph became especially iconic.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a bloodied fabric while attempting to shield a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators documented much footage on the day.

The archive features Fr Daly telling a journalist that military personnel "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Individuals in the district being directed to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being taken to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened was rejected by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the Army had been fired upon initially.

In the peace process, the ruling party commissioned another inquiry, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had fired first and that zero among the individuals had been armed.

At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – declaring fatalities were "improper and unjustifiable."

Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall holding pictures of their family members
Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the district of the city to the Guildhall carrying images of their family members

Law enforcement commenced investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.

He was charged regarding the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a court ruling protecting the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is required because he is at threat.

He told the examination that he had only fired at people who were carrying weapons.

The statement was disputed in the official findings.

Material from the investigation would not be used directly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the defendant was screened from view using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the initial occasion in court at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the charges were put to him.

Relatives and allies of the deceased on the incident hold a placard and images of the deceased
Relatives and allies of those killed on Bloody Sunday carry a banner and images of the deceased

Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to the judicial building every day of the case.

John Kelly, whose sibling was died, said they were aware that listening to the trial would be painful.

"I visualize all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we examined the primary sites discussed in the trial – from Rossville Street, where Michael was killed, to the nearby 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 vehicle.

"I relived each detail during the evidence.

"But even with enduring the process – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were died on Bloody Sunday
Susan Brown MD
Susan Brown MD

A tech enthusiast and AI researcher with a passion for sharing cutting-edge insights and practical advice.

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