The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and significant – occasions throughout multiple decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are painted on the walls and seared in public consciousness.

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

The protest was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been established after multiple years of unrest.

A Catholic priest used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly used a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a group moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Troops from the elite army unit killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist community.

A particular photograph became notably iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, the priest, waving a stained with blood fabric in his effort to protect a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

The archive contains Fr Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

Civilians in the district being taken to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being taken to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of what happened wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The initial inquiry found the Army had been shot at first.

During the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had fired first and that zero among the individuals had been armed.

At that time government leader, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the government chamber – stating deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the Bogside area of the city to the municipal center holding images of their family members
Relatives of the victims of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the district of Derry to the Guildhall displaying pictures of their loved ones

Authorities started to look into the events.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for homicide.

He was charged concerning the killings of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was also accused of seeking to harm multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.

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

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the inquiry was unable to be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.

In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight using a blue curtain.

He made statements for the opening instance in the hearing at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.

Relatives and advocates of the deceased on the incident carry a sign and images of the victims
Family members and allies of the victims on the incident hold a placard and photos of those killed

Kin of the deceased on the incident travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

One relative, whose brother Michael was killed, said they understood that attending the proceedings would be difficult.

"I can see all details in my mind's eye," John said, as we visited the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where Michael was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were killed.

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

"I participated in moving the victim and lay him in the vehicle.

"I relived each detail during the proceedings.

"Despite experiencing the process – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on the incident
Rebecca Carter
Rebecca Carter

A finance enthusiast and certified coach dedicated to empowering others with practical strategies for wealth creation and personal development.