The Way the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

Protesters in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and consequential – days throughout three decades of conflict in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and embedded in collective memory.

A civil rights march was organized on a chilly yet clear day in Derry.

The protest was opposing the system of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been established following multiple years of violence.

Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a crowd carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly waved a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a crowd carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a strongly nationalist community.

A specific visual became notably prominent.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood white handkerchief while attempting to shield a assembly transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists captured extensive video on the day.

The archive includes Father Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Protesters in the neighborhood being taken to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of events was disputed by the original examination.

The initial inquiry found the soldiers had been attacked first.

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

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that none of the casualties had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, David Cameron, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the victims of the tragic event shootings walk from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their loved ones
Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying pictures of their loved ones

Law enforcement began to investigate the matter.

One former paratrooper, known as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

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

Soldier F was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a legal order preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

That claim was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the examination was unable to be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

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

He made statements for the first time in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to reply "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Kin and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a banner and images of those killed
Kin and allies of the victims on that day display a banner and photos of the deceased

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose relative was died, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be painful.

"I can see everything in my memory," John said, as we visited the primary sites discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and William McKinney were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I assisted with the victim and lay him in the vehicle.

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were died on the incident
Daniel Mata
Daniel Mata

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in driving innovation and sharing knowledge through engaging content.