The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as among the most fatal – and consequential – occasions during thirty years of unrest in this area.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of that fateful day are painted on the walls and etched in public consciousness.

A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.

The protest was a protest against the policy of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been put in place following an extended period of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly used a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a crowd moving a teenager, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to protect a assembly transporting a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment killed multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly nationalist population.

A particular photograph became notably iconic.

Images showed a clergyman, the priest, waving a blood-stained fabric as he tried to defend a crowd carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists captured much footage on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly telling a journalist that military personnel "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the shooting.

Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the neighborhood being taken to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened was disputed by the original examination.

The first investigation determined the Army had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government established a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by the investigation said that on balance, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday killings walk from the district of Londonderry to the civic building displaying pictures of their loved ones
Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event killings process from the district of Derry to the Guildhall holding pictures of their family members

Law enforcement began to examine the matter.

An ex-soldier, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for homicide.

Indictments were filed over the fatalities of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder several people, Joseph Friel, more people, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

There is a legal order protecting the soldier's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is required because he is at threat.

He stated to the examination that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.

That claim was dismissed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the inquiry could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the first time in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Family members and advocates of those killed on Bloody Sunday carry a sign and images of the deceased
Family members and advocates of those killed on the incident carry a banner and photographs of the victims

Kin of the victims on the incident travelled from the city to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.

"I remember all details in my memory," he said, as we walked around the primary sites discussed in the case – from the location, where the victim was killed, to the adjacent the area, where James Wray and William McKinney were killed.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the medical transport.

"I relived each detail during the testimony.

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

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

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