How the Trial of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and significant – dates during thirty years of unrest in this area.

In the streets where events unfolded – the images of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and seared in people's minds.

A civil rights march was held on a cold but bright period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was challenging the system of internment – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been put in place in response to multiple years of conflict.

Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a assembly transporting a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a assembly moving a young man, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the specialized division fatally wounded multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist population.

One image became especially iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, using a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a group transporting a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel recorded considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts features Fr Daly telling a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Individuals in the Bogside area being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident was disputed by the original examination.

The first investigation found the military had been shot at first.

Throughout the peace process, the administration commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the military personnel had fired first and that none of the victims had posed any threat.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the Bogside area of Derry to the municipal center carrying pictures of their family members
Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building displaying images of their loved ones

Law enforcement commenced investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the defendant, was brought to trial for homicide.

He was charged concerning the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder several people, additional persons, more people, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a court ruling maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his attorneys have maintained is essential because he is at threat.

He told the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were carrying weapons.

The statement was disputed in the final report.

Information from the examination would not be used directly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the defendant was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were read.

Kin and supporters of the deceased on the incident hold a placard and images of those killed
Family members and allies of the deceased on the incident display a placard and photos of the deceased

Relatives of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that attending the case would be painful.

"I can see everything in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the case – from the street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where James Wray and William McKinney were died.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again the entire event during the testimony.

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

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were died on the incident
Susan Williamson
Susan Williamson

A tech journalist and innovation strategist with over a decade of experience in the digital industry, passionate about emerging technologies.