How this Trial of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal

Youths in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as among the deadliest – and significant – dates in three decades of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was organized on a cold but bright day in Derry.

The protest was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without trial – which had been established in response to multiple years of conflict.

Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to shield a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest waved a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a crowd transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the elite army unit shot dead 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist community.

One image became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a bloodied fabric in his effort to shield a crowd transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.

The archive features Father Daly telling a journalist that troops "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Civilians in the district being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being directed to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

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

During the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by the inquiry said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event killings march from the neighborhood of Derry to the municipal center holding images of their relatives
Families of the victims of the 1972 incident fatalities process from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building displaying photographs of their relatives

Authorities began to investigate the incident.

A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was charged for killing.

Indictments were filed over the fatalities of James Wray, twenty-two, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of seeking to harm several people, other civilians, more people, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a judicial decision preserving the defendant's privacy, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

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

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

Information from the examination would not be used directly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the accused was screened from view behind a protective barrier.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Relatives and supporters of those killed on Bloody Sunday carry a placard and photographs of the deceased
Kin and allies of those killed on that day carry a banner and photos of those killed

Relatives of the deceased on that day travelled from the city to the judicial building each day of the case.

A family member, whose relative was killed, said they understood that hearing the case would be painful.

"I remember everything in my recollection," he said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was killed, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I assisted with my brother and put him in the medical transport.

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

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

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were died on the incident
Daniel Cline
Daniel Cline

Travel enthusiast and hospitality expert with a passion for sharing authentic Italian experiences and luxury travel tips.