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

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – days in three decades of conflict in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of that fateful day are painted on the walls and embedded in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was organized on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Derry.

The protest was opposing the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without trial – which had been put in place in response to three years of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to defend a assembly moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest waved a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a crowd carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly republican community.

A specific visual became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a bloodied cloth as he tried to defend a assembly moving a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured much footage on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being taken to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of events wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, in response to advocacy by family members, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

That year, the report by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "improper and unacceptable."

Families of the victims of the 1972 incident shootings march from the district of the city to the civic building carrying pictures of their relatives
Families of the victims of the tragic event killings walk from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall carrying images of their loved ones

Authorities started to examine the matter.

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

He was charged concerning the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The defendant was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a court ruling preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

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

The statement was dismissed in the official findings.

Information from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as proof in the court case.

In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the first time in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the charges were read.

Family members and supporters of those killed on that day display a banner and images of those killed
Kin and allies of the deceased on the incident carry a placard and images of those killed

Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse each day of the case.

A family member, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the case would be difficult.

"I can see all details in my memory," John said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the case – from Rossville Street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where one victim and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

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

"I relived each detail during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding experiencing everything – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on the incident
David Wilson
David Wilson

A travel enthusiast and writer passionate about uncovering hidden gems in Italy's northern regions.