How the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

Youths in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and momentous – occasions in three decades of conflict in the region.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the legacy of that fateful day are visible on the walls and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a cold but bright period in Derry.

The demonstration was challenging the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a assembly transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a group moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed 13 people in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, displaying a blood-stained cloth in his effort to shield a crowd carrying a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

News camera operators captured extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts includes the priest informing a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was disputed by the original examination.

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

During the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had fired first and that zero among the individuals had been armed.

The contemporary government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building carrying photographs of their family members
Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the Bogside area of Derry to the municipal center carrying pictures of their family members

Authorities began to investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, referred to as Soldier F, was prosecuted for murder.

He was charged over the deaths of one victim, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision maintaining the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

This assertion was dismissed in the final report.

Information from the inquiry could not be used immediately as evidence in the court case.

During the trial, the veteran was screened from view using a protective barrier.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.

Kin and advocates of the victims on that day carry a placard and photos of those killed
Relatives and allies of the deceased on the incident hold a sign and photographs of those killed

Family members of those who were killed on the incident travelled from the city to the courthouse each day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the proceedings would be painful.

"I visualize all details in my recollection," John said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the trial – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where James Wray and William McKinney were died.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I assisted with Michael and put him in the vehicle.

"I relived each detail 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 Bloody Sunday
Daniel Mann
Daniel Mann

A passionate travel writer and photographer with a deep love for Italian culture and history, sharing insights from years of exploration.