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

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

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and momentous – dates during multiple decades of conflict in this area.

In the streets where it happened – the images of Bloody Sunday are visible on the buildings and embedded in people's minds.

A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright period in the city.

The march was opposing the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place following three years of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to defend a crowd transporting a young man, the injured teenager
Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a crowd transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist community.

A specific visual became particularly memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, waving a bloodied cloth in his effort to shield a group carrying a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Journalists documented much footage on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the district being taken to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the district being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of events wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been shot at first.

Throughout the peace process, the ruling party established another inquiry, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.

At that time head of state, the leader, apologised in the government chamber – stating deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center carrying pictures of their relatives
Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings process from the district of Derry to the civic building carrying images of their family members

Law enforcement started to investigate the incident.

An ex-soldier, referred to as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.

He was charged regarding the deaths of the first individual, 22, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill several people, additional persons, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a legal order preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the final report.

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

In court, the defendant was shielded from sight using a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the hearing at a session in December 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the charges were read.

Relatives and advocates of the victims on that day display a banner and photos of the victims
Relatives and allies of the deceased on the incident hold a placard and images of those killed

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the proceedings would be difficult.

"I can see everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we examined the key areas discussed in the trial – from the location, where his brother was killed, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were died.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I assisted with my brother and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through each detail during the testimony.

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

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Sarah Watson
Sarah Watson

A certified mindfulness coach with over a decade of experience, passionate about helping others find inner peace through simple daily practices.

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