How the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Protesters in a stand-off with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most deadly – and momentous – days in three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Within the community where it happened – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The demonstration was a protest against the policy of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been put in place following an extended period of violence.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to defend a assembly transporting a young man, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the elite army unit killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist community.

One image became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to shield a crowd carrying a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

The archive includes Father Daly informing a reporter that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

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

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

In the peace process, Tony Blair's government commissioned a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had been armed.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the House of Commons – saying deaths were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Kin of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying photographs of their family members
Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident shootings march from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall displaying images of their family members

Authorities commenced look into the events.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the accused, was charged for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

Soldier F was further implicated of seeking to harm multiple individuals, additional persons, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a legal order maintaining 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 people who were carrying weapons.

That claim was rejected in the official findings.

Material from the investigation would not be used straightforwardly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were read.

Family members and supporters of the deceased on the incident hold a banner and photographs of the victims
Family members and allies of those killed on the incident hold a sign and photographs of the deceased

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to the courthouse each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the case would be painful.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we examined the main locations discussed in the case – from the location, where his brother was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

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

"I experienced again 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 died on Bloody Sunday
Rachel Adams
Rachel Adams

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