The Way the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most fatal – and momentous – days during multiple decades of conflict in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and embedded in people's minds.

A public gathering was organized on a cold but bright afternoon in Derry.

The demonstration was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented in response to three years of unrest.

A Catholic priest waved a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a crowd carrying a teenager, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to defend a assembly moving a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the elite army unit shot dead multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly republican area.

One image became particularly iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a blood-stained fabric as he tried to shield a assembly transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

The archive includes Father Daly telling a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the shooting.

Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being taken to arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of events was disputed by the first inquiry.

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

In the resolution efforts, the administration commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had posed any threat.

The then government leader, the leader, apologised in the House of Commons – stating killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday fatalities process from the neighborhood of the city to the civic building carrying photographs of their family members
Relatives of the victims of the tragic event shootings process from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the civic building carrying images of their loved ones

Authorities started to examine the incident.

A military veteran, known as the accused, was charged for murder.

Accusations were made regarding the killings of one victim, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.

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

Exists a judicial decision maintaining the defendant's identity protection, which his attorneys have maintained is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He told the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were possessing firearms.

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Information from the examination was unable to be used directly as evidence in the criminal process.

In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.

He spoke for the opening instance in court at a session in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Family members and supporters of the victims on that day carry a placard and photos of the deceased
Kin and advocates of the deceased on that day display a placard and photographs of the deceased

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to the judicial building each day of the trial.

One relative, whose sibling was killed, said they were aware that hearing the case would be difficult.

"I can see everything in my recollection," John said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was killed, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and put him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the proceedings.

"But even with experiencing the process – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were died on the incident
Stacy Ferguson
Stacy Ferguson

A UK-based writer passionate about sharing lifestyle tips and tech innovations.