How the Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and consequential – days during thirty years of conflict in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are visible on the buildings and etched in collective memory.

A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Derry.

The march was opposing the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without due process – which had been established after three years of violence.

A Catholic priest waved a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a crowd moving a youth, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to shield a assembly carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly nationalist community.

One image became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief as he tried to shield a group carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts features the priest telling a media representative that troops "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been shot at first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up another inquiry, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – stating fatalities were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying photographs of their family members
Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday killings process from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying images of their family members

Authorities commenced examine the matter.

A military veteran, referred to as Soldier F, was charged for murder.

He was charged regarding the fatalities of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was further implicated of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unknown person.

Exists a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He told the investigation that he had solely shot at individuals who were armed.

That claim was dismissed in the final report.

Evidence from the inquiry could not be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the defendant was hidden from public with a blue curtain.

He made statements for the opening instance in court at a session in that month, to reply "innocent" when the accusations were read.

Kin and supporters of the victims on that day carry a sign and photographs of the deceased
Kin and advocates of those killed on that day display a placard and photographs of the deceased

Relatives of the victims on that day journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the trial.

John Kelly, whose sibling was killed, said they understood that listening to the case would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we examined the main locations referenced in the trial – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding having to go through everything – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were killed on the incident
Brittany Bruce MD
Brittany Bruce MD

A logistics expert with over a decade of experience in global shipping and travel efficiency, passionate about simplifying complex processes.