How this Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Youths in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and significant – dates in three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the walls and embedded in people's minds.

A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny period in Londonderry.

The protest was a protest against the policy of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of conflict.

A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a group carrying a youth, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a group carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist population.

One image became especially prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, using a bloodied cloth in his effort to shield a group transporting a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists documented extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts includes the priest telling a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Civilians in the neighborhood being taken to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

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

The Widgery Tribunal determined the military had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the administration set up a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.

The then head of state, the leader, apologised in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities walk from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building displaying pictures of their loved ones
Families of the victims of the tragic event killings march from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center holding photographs of their relatives

Authorities commenced investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for homicide.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of James Wray, 22, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order protecting the defendant's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was rejected in the official findings.

Material from the inquiry would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the initial occasion in court at a proceeding in December 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the accusations were presented.

Kin and advocates of the victims on that day carry a placard and images of the deceased
Relatives and allies of those killed on the incident carry a sign and images of those killed

Family members of those who were killed on that day travelled from the city to Belfast Crown Court each day of the case.

John Kelly, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that attending the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see the events in my memory," he said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the trial – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and the second person were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and place him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again each detail during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding experiencing all that – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Richard Sullivan
Richard Sullivan

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