The Way this Prosecution of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and significant – occasions in thirty years of violence in this area.

Within the community where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and seared in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was held on a cold but bright afternoon in Derry.

The protest was opposing the policy of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place after multiple years of violence.

A Catholic priest used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a group transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy

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

One image became especially iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators documented extensive video on the day.

Historical records features the priest telling a reporter that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the Bogside area being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the district being taken to arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

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

During the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a new investigation, in response to advocacy by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

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

At that time government leader, David Cameron, apologised in the House of Commons – stating deaths were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Kin of the casualties of the tragic event killings process from the Bogside area of Derry to the civic building holding photographs of their family members
Relatives of the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings march from the district of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying photographs of their family members

Authorities started to look into the incident.

A military veteran, known as the accused, was brought to trial for killing.

Indictments were filed over the killings of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The accused was also accused of trying to kill several people, other civilians, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

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

That claim was rejected in the final report.

Material from the examination could not be used immediately as testimony in the court case.

In the dock, the veteran was screened from view with a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were presented.

Family members and supporters of the deceased on the incident display a sign and photographs of those killed
Relatives and allies of the victims on that day display a banner and photographs of the deceased

Relatives of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Derry to the judicial building every day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that hearing the trial would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the primary sites discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again each detail during the testimony.

"But even with having to go through all that – it's still meaningful for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were fatally wounded on the incident
Misty Hanson
Misty Hanson

A passionate traveler and writer sharing insights from years of exploring the UK's hidden gems and popular spots.