How the Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and momentous – dates during multiple decades of violence in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of that fateful day are displayed on the walls and seared in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The demonstration was a protest against the policy of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place after multiple years of unrest.

A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a assembly moving a young man, the injured teenager
Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a crowd moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the elite army unit shot dead 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican population.

A specific visual became particularly memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to defend a crowd moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

The archive includes Fr Daly informing a reporter that military personnel "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the shooting.

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

The narrative of events was disputed by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the military had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government set up a new investigation, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the report by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "improper and inexcusable."

Kin of the deceased of the tragic event shootings walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center holding pictures of their loved ones
Families of the victims of the 1972 incident shootings process from the district of Londonderry to the Guildhall holding photographs of their relatives

Authorities started to examine the matter.

A military veteran, referred to as Soldier F, was charged for murder.

He was charged concerning the killings of one victim, 22, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a legal order maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was dismissed in the concluding document.

Information from the examination would not be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public behind a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the first time in the hearing at a session in December 2024, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Relatives and advocates of the deceased on that day hold a banner and images of the victims
Family members and advocates of the deceased on the incident hold a sign and photos of the victims

Kin of the deceased on that day travelled from the city to the courthouse every day of the case.

A family member, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the case would be emotional.

"I visualize the events in my mind's eye," John said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the case – from Rossville Street, where the victim was killed, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and William McKinney were died.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

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

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

"But even with experiencing the process – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Virginia Clay
Virginia Clay

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