How the Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

Protesters in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most deadly – and consequential – days throughout thirty years of unrest in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and seared in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear day in Derry.

The demonstration was opposing the system of internment – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been put in place after multiple years of violence.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to defend a assembly moving a teenager, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became notably memorable.

Images showed a clergyman, the priest, waving a bloodied cloth in his effort to protect a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes Fr Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of events was disputed by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry concluded the military had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, after campaigning by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the soldiers had fired first and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, apologised in the Parliament – declaring fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident shootings march from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall displaying pictures of their relatives
Families of the victims of the tragic event shootings walk from the district of Derry to the civic building displaying photographs of their loved ones

The police started to look into the matter.

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

Accusations were made concerning the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a legal order maintaining the soldier's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the investigation would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

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

He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in late 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.

Kin and allies of the deceased on that day display a banner and images of the deceased
Kin and supporters of the victims on that day display a placard and photographs of the victims

Family members of the deceased on the incident travelled from Londonderry to the judicial building each day of the trial.

One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the case would be painful.

"I remember the events in my memory," John said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the trial – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I assisted with the victim and lay him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again every moment during the testimony.

"But even with experiencing the process – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Terry Gallegos
Terry Gallegos

A passionate digital storyteller with a knack for uncovering the most shareable and impactful news, dedicated to keeping readers engaged and informed.