How the Trial of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

Protesters in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as one of the deadliest – and consequential – dates throughout thirty years of violence in this area.

In the streets where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear day in Londonderry.

The protest was opposing the practice of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been put in place in response to multiple years of violence.

Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a assembly carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy
Father Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a group moving a young man, the injured teenager

Troops from the specialized division fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

One image became especially iconic.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, displaying a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to defend a assembly transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators documented much footage on the day.

Documented accounts includes Fr Daly informing a reporter that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

Protesters in the district being directed to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being directed to arrest by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened was rejected by the initial investigation.

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

Throughout the negotiation period, the ruling party commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

That year, the report by the investigation said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, apologised in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Kin of the casualties of the 1972 incident killings walk from the district of Londonderry to the Guildhall carrying images of their relatives
Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event killings process from the neighborhood of Derry to the Guildhall displaying pictures of their family members

The police commenced investigate the incident.

An ex-soldier, identified as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a court ruling preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have argued 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.

The statement was disputed in the official findings.

Evidence from the inquiry could not be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

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

He spoke for the first time in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a sign and photographs of the deceased
Family members and advocates of those killed on the incident carry a sign and photos of the victims

Kin of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from the city to the judicial building daily of the case.

A family member, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they were aware that listening to the case would be difficult.

"I can see the events in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the main locations discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding enduring the process – it's still valuable for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Gabriel Greer
Gabriel Greer

Tech entrepreneur and startup advisor with a passion for innovation and mentoring new founders.