The Way the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

Youths in a stand-off with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and momentous – occasions during thirty years of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of the tragic events are painted on the walls and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the system of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented following three years of violence.

A Catholic priest displayed a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to protect a crowd carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly used a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a strongly republican community.

A specific visual became especially memorable.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to protect a group carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

News camera operators documented extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly telling a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

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

This account of events was rejected by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the Army had been attacked first.

During the peace process, the ruling party commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had posed any threat.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the Parliament – declaring killings were "improper and unjustifiable."

Families of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday killings march from the district of Derry to the municipal center displaying images of their relatives
Kin of the deceased of the tragic event killings march from the neighborhood of the city to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their relatives

The police started to investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, known as the accused, was prosecuted for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of the first individual, 22, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

There is a court ruling maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were armed.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Evidence from the inquiry was unable to be used directly as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was hidden from public with a privacy screen.

He made statements for the opening instance in court at a session in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Relatives and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday hold a sign and photos of the deceased
Kin and supporters of the deceased on that day display a banner and images of those killed

Relatives of the deceased on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Derry to the judicial building daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see the events in my recollection," the relative said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

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

"I helped to carry the victim and put him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the proceedings.

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

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Carolyn Wilson
Carolyn Wilson

A passionate traveler and writer who has journeyed to over 50 countries, sharing insights and experiences to inspire others.