How this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and consequential – occasions during thirty years of conflict in this area.

Within the community of the incident – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in the city.

The protest was opposing the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been established after three years of unrest.

Father Daly used a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a crowd moving a youth, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly displayed a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a assembly carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the elite army unit killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly republican community.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a assembly carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel documented extensive video on the day.

The archive features Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being directed to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of the incident was disputed by the initial investigation.

The first investigation concluded the military had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

That year, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had been armed.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, apologised in the government chamber – saying deaths were "improper and unjustifiable."

Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident shootings walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying pictures of their loved ones
Kin of the victims of the 1972 incident fatalities march from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying photographs of their loved ones

Authorities began to investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, known as the defendant, was brought to trial for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the deaths of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, more people, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.

That claim was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the inquiry was unable to be used directly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the defendant was hidden from public with a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were put to him.

Family members and allies of the deceased on that day display a placard and images of those killed
Family members and allies of those killed on the incident display a placard and photos of the deceased

Relatives of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the judicial building each day of the case.

One relative, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the proceedings would be painful.

"I visualize the events in my recollection," John said, as we walked around the primary sites mentioned in the case – from Rossville Street, where his brother was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

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

"I relived each detail during the evidence.

"But even with experiencing all that – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Dr. Susan Tate
Dr. Susan Tate

A dedicated advocate for child safety with over a decade of experience in community outreach and nonprofit management.