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

Youths in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and momentous – days during thirty years of conflict in the region.

Within the community of the incident – the legacy of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright day in the city.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been established after an extended period of conflict.

Father Daly used a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a assembly carrying a young man, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a assembly carrying a youth, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

One image became especially prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a bloodied cloth while attempting to shield a group transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly telling a journalist that soldiers "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

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

That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the peace process, the administration commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the individuals had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating deaths were "improper and inexcusable."

Families of the victims of the tragic event shootings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building carrying pictures of their loved ones
Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the district of the city to the civic building carrying images of their family members

Law enforcement started to examine the events.

A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was charged for killing.

Indictments were filed over the fatalities of the first individual, 22, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was also accused of attempting to murder several people, other civilians, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a judicial decision preserving the defendant's privacy, which his lawyers have claimed is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

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

The statement was disputed in the official findings.

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

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

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a session in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were read.

Relatives and advocates of the deceased on that day display a banner and photographs of the victims
Kin and advocates of those killed on Bloody Sunday hold a sign and photos of those killed

Family members of the deceased on the incident journeyed from Londonderry to the judicial building every day of the trial.

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

"I visualize the events in my mind's eye," John said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where his brother was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and place him in the ambulance.

"I relived each detail during the evidence.

"Despite experiencing everything – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on the incident
Natalie Douglas
Natalie Douglas

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