How this Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Protesters in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a stand-off with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most deadly – and momentous – dates in three decades of unrest in the region.

Within the community of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the walls and seared in collective memory.

A civil rights march was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the practice of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been established in response to multiple years of conflict.

A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to shield a group moving a youth, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment killed 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist community.

A particular photograph became notably iconic.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, waving a bloodied fabric in his effort to shield a assembly transporting a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts contains the priest explaining to a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being taken to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of events was disputed by the original examination.

The first investigation found the military had been shot at first.

Throughout the negotiation period, the ruling party established another inquiry, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had posed any threat.

The contemporary head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – saying killings were "improper and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities march from the district of Derry to the civic building holding photographs of their family members
Families of the casualties of the 1972 incident fatalities walk from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building carrying images of their relatives

The police started to investigate the incident.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a legal order preserving the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were possessing firearms.

That claim was rejected in the final report.

Information from the investigation was unable to be used directly as testimony in the court case.

During the trial, the veteran was screened from view with a privacy screen.

He made statements for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to respond "innocent" when the charges were put to him.

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

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.

A family member, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that attending the trial would be emotional.

"I can see all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the case – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

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

"I participated in moving the victim and place him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again every moment during the testimony.

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

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were died on Bloody Sunday
Ronald Bray
Ronald Bray

A tech enthusiast and business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup consulting.