The Way the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and momentous – occasions throughout three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the walls and seared in collective memory.

A civil rights march was conducted on a wintry, sunny period in the city.

The protest was challenging the policy of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of conflict.

A Catholic priest used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a assembly transporting a young man, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to defend a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager

Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a predominantly republican community.

One image became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood fabric while attempting to defend a assembly carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly explaining to a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Civilians in the district being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of the incident was rejected by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the military had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by Lord Saville said that generally, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had posed any threat.

The then Prime Minister, David Cameron, expressed regret in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."

Kin of the victims of the Bloody Sunday killings march from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the civic building carrying pictures of their relatives
Families of the victims of the tragic event fatalities walk from the Bogside area of the city to the Guildhall carrying images of their relatives

The police started to look into the events.

A military veteran, referred to as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.

Accusations were made concerning the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The defendant was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

There is a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's privacy, which his attorneys have argued is necessary because he is at danger.

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

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Information from the examination was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the court case.

In court, the veteran was screened from view using a protective barrier.

He spoke for the first time in the proceedings at a session in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were read.

Family members and allies of the victims on that day hold a banner and photos of the victims
Relatives and advocates of the deceased on the incident carry a placard and photos of those killed

Kin of the deceased on that day made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they were aware that hearing the case would be emotional.

"I can see the events in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the main locations mentioned in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It returns me to my position that day.

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

"I experienced again every moment during the testimony.

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

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Tiffany Lester
Tiffany Lester

A seasoned real estate professional with over 15 years of experience in property investment and market analysis.