The Way this Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as among the most deadly – and significant – dates throughout thirty years of conflict in the region.

Within the community of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are painted on the structures and etched in people's minds.

A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The protest was challenging the system of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been put in place after multiple years of conflict.

A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a group transporting a youth, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a assembly moving a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly republican community.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, waving a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to protect a crowd carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

The archive contains the priest informing a journalist that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Individuals in the Bogside area being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of events was disputed by the original examination.

The first investigation found the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

During the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the individuals had posed any threat.

The contemporary head of state, the leader, expressed regret in the government chamber – declaring fatalities were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the district of Derry to the civic building holding photographs of their relatives
Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident fatalities march from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building holding photographs of their relatives

Authorities started to examine the incident.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made over the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was further implicated of seeking to harm multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a legal order maintaining the defendant's privacy, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at danger.

He told the investigation that he had only fired at individuals who were carrying weapons.

The statement was rejected in the official findings.

Information from the examination was unable to be used directly as proof in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the accused was screened from view with a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Family members and allies of the victims on Bloody Sunday display a banner and images of the deceased
Relatives and supporters of those killed on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and photographs of the deceased

Relatives of those who were killed on that day travelled from Derry to the judicial building each day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose sibling was died, said they were aware that attending the case would be difficult.

"I can see everything in my recollection," John said, as we examined the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.

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

"I assisted with my brother and place him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again every moment during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding having to go through all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on the incident
Jennifer Massey
Jennifer Massey

Tech enthusiast and software developer with a passion for AI and open-source projects, sharing insights from years of industry experience.