How the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as among the most deadly – and significant – occasions in multiple decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are visible on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

A public gathering was held on a cold but bright afternoon in the city.

The protest was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been put in place in response to multiple years of violence.

A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to shield a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a crowd moving a young man, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the specialized division fatally wounded multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly prominent.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a blood-stained cloth in his effort to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts features the priest informing a journalist that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Protesters in the district being directed to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the district being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of events wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the negotiation period, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the report by the inquiry said that generally, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

The contemporary government leader, the leader, apologised in the Parliament – saying deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building carrying pictures of their relatives
Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event shootings march from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall holding pictures of their loved ones

The police began to investigate the matter.

A military veteran, referred to as the accused, was charged for murder.

He was charged over the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a judicial decision preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at danger.

He stated to the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was rejected in the final report.

Information from the examination could not be used immediately as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight behind a protective barrier.

He spoke for the first time in court at a session in December 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Relatives and advocates of the victims on that day hold a sign and photos of those killed
Relatives and allies of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a banner and photos of those killed

Kin of the deceased on the incident made the trip from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the case.

One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they always knew that listening to the case would be emotional.

"I remember all details in my memory," he said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.

"But even with having to go through the process – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were killed on the incident
Kristina Hall
Kristina Hall

Award-winning journalist with a focus on urban affairs and community stories in Southern California.