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

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

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as among the deadliest – and momentous – occasions in three decades of violence in this area.

Within the community of the incident – the legacy of that fateful day are painted on the structures and etched in public consciousness.

A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The protest was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place following an extended period of unrest.

Father Daly displayed a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a group transporting a young man, the injured teenager
Father Daly waved a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a crowd transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy

Troops from the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

A particular photograph became notably prominent.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to shield a assembly moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.

The archive features the priest explaining to a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the district being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

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

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

Throughout the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had presented danger.

The contemporary government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – stating killings were "improper and unacceptable."

Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings process from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building carrying photographs of their relatives
Relatives of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings march from the Bogside area of Derry to the Guildhall carrying images of their loved ones

The police began to investigate the incident.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for killing.

He was charged regarding the fatalities of the first individual, in his twenties, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder several people, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision protecting the veteran's identity protection, which his attorneys have argued is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the examination that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

Material from the examination was unable to be used directly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the accused was hidden from public behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in court at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were presented.

Family members and allies of the victims on that day carry a sign and photographs of those killed
Kin and advocates of those killed on that day display a sign and images of those killed

Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from Derry to the judicial building each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the trial would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my memory," the relative said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the trial – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjacent the courtyard, where one victim and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

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

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

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding having to go through everything – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were killed on the incident
Timothy Hughes
Timothy Hughes

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