How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

January 30th, 1972 stands as one of the most deadly – and consequential – occasions throughout thirty years of unrest in the region.

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

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Londonderry.

The march was challenging the system of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place in response to three years of unrest.

A Catholic priest used a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to defend a assembly moving a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric while attempting to shield a assembly transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist community.

A specific visual became notably prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to shield a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

The archive includes Fr Daly telling a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Civilians in the district being directed to arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened was rejected by the original examination.

The initial inquiry found the Army had been attacked first.

During the peace process, Tony Blair's government established a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that overall, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that none of the individuals had been armed.

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the government chamber – declaring deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday killings process from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building carrying images of their relatives
Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday killings process from the district of the city to the civic building displaying pictures of their family members

The police commenced investigate the events.

A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder.

Indictments were filed over the fatalities of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, other civilians, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order protecting the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were armed.

The statement was dismissed in the final report.

Material from the investigation would not be used directly as evidence in the court case.

In court, the defendant was screened from view using a protective barrier.

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

Family members and supporters of the victims on that day hold a sign and photographs of those killed
Kin and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday hold a placard and photographs of the victims

Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the case would be difficult.

"I remember everything in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where Michael was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were killed.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and place him in the vehicle.

"I relived each detail during the evidence.

"But even with enduring everything – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Laura West
Laura West

Fashion enthusiast and urban lifestyle blogger with a passion for sustainable trends and city living.