The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Youths in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as among the deadliest – and significant – occasions in three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where it happened – the images of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

A civil rights march was held on a wintry, sunny period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was challenging the policy of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place following an extended period of violence.

Fr Edward Daly used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to shield a assembly carrying a youth, the injured teenager
Father Daly used a bloodied fabric while attempting to shield a crowd moving a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the specialized division killed 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

One image became notably memorable.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a bloodied fabric while attempting to shield a assembly moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.

The archive features Fr Daly informing a media representative 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 district being directed to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

In the peace process, the administration established a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the casualties had presented danger.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."

Kin of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the district of Derry to the municipal center carrying images of their relatives
Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident shootings march from the Bogside area of Derry to the Guildhall holding photographs of their relatives

Law enforcement started to examine the matter.

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

Indictments were filed regarding the killings of the first individual, 22, and 26-year-old another victim.

The accused was also accused of trying to kill several people, additional persons, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling maintaining the soldier's privacy, which his lawyers have argued is necessary because he is at danger.

He told the investigation that he had solely shot at people who were possessing firearms.

The statement was disputed in the official findings.

Information from the investigation would not be used directly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the accused was hidden from public using a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Relatives and advocates of those killed on Bloody Sunday carry a banner and images of the deceased
Kin and advocates of the victims on Bloody Sunday hold a banner and photographs of the deceased

Relatives of the deceased on that day travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose brother Michael was killed, said they understood that attending the proceedings would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my memory," the relative said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the trial – from the street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and the second person were died.

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

"I helped to carry the victim and lay him in the vehicle.

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were died on Bloody Sunday
Keith Jenkins
Keith Jenkins

A seasoned software engineer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in developing innovative applications and sharing knowledge through writing.