How the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal

Protesters in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and significant – occasions during thirty years of unrest in the region.

Within the community of the incident – the images of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright period in Londonderry.

The march was opposing the practice of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been established after an extended period of violence.

Father Daly displayed a bloodied fabric in an effort to shield a group transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
Father Daly displayed a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a crowd transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist community.

A particular photograph became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, the priest, waving a blood-stained fabric in his effort to defend a assembly carrying a youth, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts includes the priest explaining to a media representative that troops "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Protesters in the district being marched towards arrest by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the district being taken to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry concluded the Army had been attacked first.

In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the report by the investigation said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

At that time government leader, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities walk from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center carrying images of their family members
Families of the victims of the 1972 incident shootings walk from the Bogside area of Derry to the municipal center displaying images of their family members

The police began to examine the incident.

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

He was charged regarding the fatalities of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The accused was also accused of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, more people, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists 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 Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at individuals who were armed.

That claim was dismissed in the official findings.

Evidence from the examination was unable to be used directly as proof in the court case.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight behind a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to answer "innocent" when the charges were put to him.

Kin and supporters of the deceased on the incident carry a sign and images of the deceased
Relatives and supporters of the victims on the incident display a placard and photos of the deceased

Relatives of the victims on that day made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.

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

"I remember everything in my recollection," the relative said, as we examined the main locations discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were died.

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

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I went through each detail during the testimony.

"Despite experiencing everything – it's still valuable for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were died on the incident
Stephen Butler
Stephen Butler

Lena is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering European politics and social issues.