The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains among the deadliest – and consequential – occasions in three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of that fateful day are displayed on the structures and seared in people's minds.

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

The demonstration was opposing the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented following three years of conflict.

Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a group moving a youth, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest waved a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to protect a group moving a young man, the injured teenager

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

A particular photograph became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a bloodied white handkerchief while attempting to defend a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.

The archive contains Father Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Individuals in the Bogside area being directed to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the neighborhood being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of what happened was disputed by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry found the soldiers had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the individuals had presented danger.

The contemporary government leader, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the government chamber – stating killings were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Relatives of the deceased of the 1972 incident shootings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building holding images of their family members
Kin of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings walk from the district of Derry to the Guildhall displaying images of their family members

Law enforcement commenced investigate the incident.

An ex-soldier, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for killing.

Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill several people, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a court ruling protecting the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

He testified the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was dismissed in the concluding document.

Material from the inquiry could not be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.

During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight using a privacy screen.

He made statements for the opening instance in court at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the allegations were put to him.

Relatives and allies of those killed on that day hold a banner and photos of those killed
Family members and advocates of the deceased on that day carry a banner and photographs of the victims

Relatives of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to the judicial building every day of the trial.

One relative, whose relative was died, said they understood that attending the case would be difficult.

"I can see the events in my memory," he said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and William McKinney were killed.

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

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

"I relived each detail during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding enduring all that – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were died on Bloody Sunday
Elizabeth Myers
Elizabeth Myers

A certified life coach and mindfulness expert passionate about empowering others through personal development strategies.