The Way the Trial of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

Protesters in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and significant – occasions during thirty years of unrest in the region.

In the streets where it happened – the images of the tragic events are displayed on the walls and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in Derry.

The protest was challenging the policy of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented following an extended period of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a crowd carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a group carrying a youth, the injured teenager

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

A specific visual became especially iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a bloodied white handkerchief while attempting to protect a crowd transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators captured extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains the priest informing a media representative that troops "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Civilians in the neighborhood being taken to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

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

The Widgery Tribunal found the Army had been shot at first.

During the negotiation period, the administration commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had presented danger.

The contemporary head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – stating deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Kin of the victims of the 1972 incident fatalities march from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall holding images of their family members
Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident shootings walk from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building displaying photographs of their family members

Law enforcement commenced examine the events.

A military veteran, known as the accused, was brought to trial for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order preserving the defendant's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He testified the examination that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the final report.

Evidence from the inquiry would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the defendant was hidden from public using a protective barrier.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to answer "innocent" when the charges were put to him.

Kin and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a sign and images of the victims
Family members and allies of those killed on the incident display a banner and photographs of the victims

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed 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 trial would be painful.

"I can see everything in my memory," the relative said, as we visited the main locations mentioned in the case – from the street, where his brother was killed, to the nearby the area, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

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

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

"I experienced again each detail during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding enduring all that – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were killed on the incident
Marcus Carlson
Marcus Carlson

A passionate digital artist and writer who shares creative techniques and inspiration to help others unlock their potential.