The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal

Youths in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and consequential – days throughout multiple decades of conflict in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are visible on the structures and seared in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a cold but bright afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of internment – detaining individuals without trial – which had been implemented after three years of conflict.

A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a crowd transporting a youth, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to shield a group transporting a teenager, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a predominantly Irish nationalist community.

A particular photograph became especially iconic.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, waving a bloodied fabric in his effort to protect a assembly carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts includes the priest informing a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Civilians in the Bogside area being taken to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

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

The first investigation concluded the military had been fired upon initially.

In the peace process, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings march from the Bogside area of the city to the municipal center displaying pictures of their family members
Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities process from the district of Derry to the municipal center displaying images of their family members

Authorities commenced investigate the incident.

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

He was charged regarding the fatalities of one victim, 22, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the defendant's identity protection, which his attorneys have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

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

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Information from the examination could not be used immediately as proof in the court case.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in court at a session in December 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the charges were read.

Family members and supporters of those killed on the incident display a placard and photographs of the victims
Family members and allies of the victims on that day display a placard and photographs of the victims

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday travelled from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that attending the case would be difficult.

"I can see everything in my recollection," the relative said, as we visited the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where James Wray and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the vehicle.

"I relived every moment during the testimony.

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

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

An avid hiker and nature enthusiast with years of experience exploring trails around the world.