The Way the Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains among the deadliest – and momentous – occasions during thirty years of conflict in this area.

In the streets of the incident – the memories of the tragic events are visible on the walls and embedded in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was organized on a chilly yet clear period in the city.

The march was a protest against the practice of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been established in response to an extended period of violence.

A Catholic priest displayed a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the specialized division fatally wounded 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.

A particular photograph became notably memorable.

Images showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, using a blood-stained fabric as he tried to defend a assembly transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured much footage on the day.

The archive features Father Daly telling a journalist that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of events wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the negotiation period, the ruling party established a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

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

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – stating killings were "improper and inexcusable."

Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident shootings walk from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center holding photographs of their relatives
Kin of the deceased of the tragic event killings march from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center holding pictures of their family members

Authorities started to look into the incident.

A military veteran, identified as the accused, was charged for homicide.

Indictments were filed concerning the killings of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a legal order preserving the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He told the investigation that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Information from the investigation could not be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.

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

He made statements for the first time in court at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the charges were read.

Family members and supporters of the victims on that day display a banner and images of those killed
Kin and supporters of the deceased on that day display a sign and images of those killed

Kin of the deceased on that day travelled from the city to the judicial building every day of the trial.

A family member, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be painful.

"I visualize all details in my recollection," John said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the trial – from the street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again every moment during the testimony.

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

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were died on Bloody Sunday
Ashley Blevins
Ashley Blevins

Interior design enthusiast with a passion for sustainable home styling and years of experience in transforming spaces.