The Way the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Youths in a tense situation with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – dates in thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area where it happened – the images of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.

A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Londonderry.

The march was opposing the policy of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following three years of conflict.

A Catholic priest waved a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to protect a assembly transporting a youth, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Military personnel from the specialized division killed 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a strongly republican area.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a stained with blood fabric in his effort to defend a crowd carrying a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts contains the priest informing a journalist that soldiers "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of what happened wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal found the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

In the resolution efforts, the ruling party commissioned a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

The contemporary head of state, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the victims of the tragic event killings walk from the district of the city to the Guildhall carrying pictures of their family members
Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the neighborhood of Londonderry to the municipal center displaying images of their relatives

Law enforcement began to investigate the incident.

A military veteran, referred to as Soldier F, was brought to trial for killing.

He was charged over the killings of one victim, in his twenties, and 26-year-old another victim.

The defendant was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at danger.

He stated to the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were armed.

The statement was disputed in the official findings.

Evidence from the investigation would not be used straightforwardly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In court, the veteran was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the first time in court at a session in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the charges were read.

Relatives and advocates of those killed on the incident hold a sign and images of the victims
Family members and advocates of the deceased on that day hold a placard and photographs of the deceased

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday travelled from Derry to the judicial building every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose relative was died, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.

"I can see everything in my recollection," John said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the case – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and William McKinney were killed.

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

"I participated in moving the victim and place him in the vehicle.

"I went through each detail during the proceedings.

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

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Robert Miranda
Robert Miranda

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