The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the most deadly – and consequential – dates throughout multiple decades of conflict in this area.

In the streets where events unfolded – the memories of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a wintry, sunny day in the city.

The protest was opposing the practice of detention without trial – detaining individuals without trial – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of violence.

Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a crowd transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest used a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a group carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a strongly nationalist community.

One image became notably prominent.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a bloodied white handkerchief in his effort to shield a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists captured extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains the priest informing a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being directed to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the Army had been shot at first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the administration commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

The then head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the government chamber – declaring deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings march from the Bogside area of the city to the municipal center displaying photographs of their family members
Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event killings process from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the Guildhall displaying pictures of their loved ones

Authorities commenced investigate the matter.

A military veteran, referred to as the defendant, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made over the deaths of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was also accused of attempting to murder several people, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at danger.

He stated to the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were armed.

That claim was disputed in the official findings.

Information from the investigation would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

In court, the veteran was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a hearing in December 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the charges were read.

Relatives and allies of the victims on the incident hold a banner and photographs of those killed
Kin and supporters of the deceased on the incident carry a banner and photos of those killed

Family members of the deceased on that day travelled from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the case.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be painful.

"I remember everything in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the trial – from the location, where Michael was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding enduring everything – it's still valuable for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Jeffrey Gomez
Jeffrey Gomez

A passionate digital marketer and blogger with over 10 years of experience in content strategy and SEO optimization.