How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most deadly – and significant – days in thirty years of violence in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

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

The protest was challenging the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been established in response to multiple years of violence.

Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a crowd moving a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly displayed a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a crowd moving a youth, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist community.

One image became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, the priest, using a blood-stained cloth as he tried to shield a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators documented much footage on the day.

The archive features the priest explaining to a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry determined the Army had been shot at first.

Throughout the negotiation period, the administration set up a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

That year, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the casualties had presented danger.

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating killings were "improper and unacceptable."

Kin of the casualties of the tragic event fatalities process from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying images of their relatives
Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall displaying photographs of their relatives

The police commenced look into the events.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the defendant, was charged for homicide.

He was charged concerning the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

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

Remains a legal order maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

Material from the examination would not be used directly as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight using a protective barrier.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the charges were read.

Kin and allies of the victims on that day display a sign and photos of the deceased
Family members and supporters of the victims on the incident hold a placard and images of those killed

Kin of the deceased on the incident travelled from the city to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they were aware that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.

"I remember the events in my memory," John said, as we walked around the main locations referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where one victim and another victim were killed.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with the victim and lay him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again each detail during the evidence.

"Despite enduring all that – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were died on the incident
Laura Cannon
Laura Cannon

A passionate writer and mindfulness coach dedicated to helping others find balance and inspiration through creative expression.