The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Protesters in a stand-off with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and consequential – occasions during thirty years of conflict in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was challenging the system of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established in response to three years of conflict.

A Catholic priest used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to defend a group transporting a young man, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a assembly carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist area.

One image became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a bloodied fabric in his effort to defend a group carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators captured much footage on the day.

Documented accounts includes Father Daly explaining to a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

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

This account of the incident was disputed by the original examination.

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

In the negotiation period, the administration set up another inquiry, after campaigning by family members, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the military personnel had fired first and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event fatalities walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building carrying images of their family members
Families of the victims of the 1972 incident killings process from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building displaying photographs of their family members

Authorities started to examine the events.

A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for murder.

Indictments were filed over the deaths of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.

He testified the investigation that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

Information from the investigation would not be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was hidden from public using a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the charges were read.

Relatives and allies of those killed on Bloody Sunday display a banner and images of the deceased
Family members and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday display a sign and photographs of the victims

Relatives of the deceased on that day made the trip from Derry to the courthouse daily of the case.

John Kelly, whose relative was died, said they always knew that attending the proceedings would be painful.

"I remember the events in my recollection," John said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the trial – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I relived the entire event during the evidence.

"Despite experiencing everything – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were fatally wounded on the incident
Jessica Morris
Jessica Morris

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