How the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

Youths in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most fatal – and momentous – days during multiple decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are visible on the structures and seared in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright day in Londonderry.

The march was opposing the practice of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been established following an extended period of unrest.

Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to protect a assembly transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

A particular photograph became especially iconic.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood cloth while attempting to shield a crowd carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts includes Fr Daly telling a journalist that soldiers "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Protesters in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the district being marched towards custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been shot at first.

In the peace process, the ruling party established a fresh examination, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.

At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall carrying photographs of their family members
Families of the victims of the Bloody Sunday killings process from the district of the city to the civic building displaying images of their family members

The police began to examine the incident.

A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.

Accusations were made over the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a legal order protecting the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

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

That claim was rejected in the concluding document.

Information from the inquiry could not be used immediately as evidence in the court case.

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

He spoke for the first time in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to respond "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.

Family members and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday hold a placard and photographs of the victims
Family members and supporters of those killed on that day hold a sign and photos of the deceased

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to the judicial building every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be difficult.

"I remember all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and place him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again every moment during the proceedings.

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

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Devin Robinson
Devin Robinson

A passionate Sicilian tour guide with over 10 years of experience in showcasing the island's hidden gems.