The Way this Trial of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a stand-off with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

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

Within the community where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are visible on the buildings and seared in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was held on a cold but bright period in Derry.

The demonstration was a protest against the policy of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been established in response to three years of conflict.

Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a crowd carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to defend a group carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the specialized division shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist community.

One image became notably iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a blood-stained cloth in his effort to protect a crowd carrying a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly telling a media representative that military personnel "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

Civilians in the district being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of the incident was disputed by the original examination.

The initial inquiry concluded the soldiers had been shot at first.

Throughout the peace process, the administration commissioned a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the Parliament – declaring killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Kin of the deceased of the tragic event fatalities march from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the civic building holding images of their family members
Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event killings process from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building holding pictures of their family members

Law enforcement started to look into the incident.

A military veteran, identified as the defendant, was charged for homicide.

Accusations were made over the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.

The defendant was also accused of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a court ruling maintaining the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.

The statement was rejected in the concluding document.

Information from the investigation was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Family members and allies of the deceased on that day hold a sign and images of those killed
Kin and supporters of the deceased on that day hold a sign and images of the deceased

Relatives of the victims on the incident journeyed from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the trial.

A family member, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the case would be painful.

"I remember the events in my recollection," he said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the proceedings – from the street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

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

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Joshua Barnes MD
Joshua Barnes MD

A seasoned digital strategist with over a decade of experience in SEO and content marketing, passionate about helping businesses thrive online.