How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

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

Throughout the area of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the walls and etched in collective memory.

A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Londonderry.

The protest was opposing the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place after multiple years of violence.

Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to defend a assembly moving a young man, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a group transporting a young man, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist community.

A particular photograph became notably iconic.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, waving a bloodied cloth as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly telling a journalist that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Individuals in the district being taken to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident was rejected by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry concluded the Army had been fired upon initially.

During the negotiation period, the administration established a fresh examination, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

That year, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that not one of the individuals had been armed.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident shootings march from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building holding pictures of their relatives
Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall holding images of their loved ones

Authorities began to investigate the incident.

A military veteran, known as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.

Accusations were made over the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unknown person.

There is a legal order preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.

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

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Material from the inquiry was unable to be used immediately as evidence in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the opening instance in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.

Family members and supporters of those killed on the incident carry a banner and photos of those killed
Family members and advocates of the victims on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and photographs of the deceased

Relatives of the deceased on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the proceedings.

A family member, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the case would be difficult.

"I remember the events in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the case – from the street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

"Despite having to go through the process – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were died on Bloody Sunday
Joshua Walker
Joshua Walker

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about innovation and digital culture.