How this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

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

January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most deadly – and significant – days during three decades of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are visible on the structures and embedded in people's minds.

A civil rights march was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was opposing the practice of detention without trial – holding suspects without due process – which had been put in place after an extended period of conflict.

Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to shield a group carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the elite army unit killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a strongly republican population.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to protect a group transporting a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts includes Fr Daly telling a journalist that soldiers "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

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

That version of events was disputed by the original examination.

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

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the government chamber – stating fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday killings march from the district of Londonderry to the civic building holding images of their relatives
Kin of the casualties of the tragic event killings process from the neighborhood of Derry to the municipal center displaying pictures of their family members

Law enforcement commenced look into the events.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for killing.

Indictments were filed concerning the fatalities of one victim, 22, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, more people, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at danger.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was rejected in the concluding document.

Information from the investigation could not be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

In the dock, the defendant was hidden from public with a privacy screen.

He spoke for the first time in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Relatives and advocates of the victims on that day hold a banner and photographs of those killed
Kin and allies of the deceased on the incident hold a placard and photos of those killed

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be emotional.

"I remember all details in my memory," the relative said, as we visited the key areas discussed in the trial – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the ambulance.

"I relived each detail during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding having to go through all that – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on the incident
Miss Sarah Guerrero
Miss Sarah Guerrero

Marine biologist and passionate ocean advocate with over a decade of experience in conservation research and education.