The Way this Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most fatal – and momentous – days in multiple decades of violence in this area.

Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the walls and etched in collective memory.

A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear day in Derry.

The protest was a protest against the practice of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented following three years of unrest.

Father Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to protect a assembly carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth
Fr Edward Daly waved a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a crowd moving a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the specialized division fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly republican area.

A specific visual became notably prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, using a blood-stained fabric in his effort to defend a assembly moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

News camera operators recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts includes Father Daly informing a media representative that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the district being directed to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

That version of the incident was rejected by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the military had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government set up a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the findings by the investigation said that on balance, the paratroopers had fired first and that not one of the victims had posed any threat.

At that time Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."

Relatives of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings walk from the neighborhood of Derry to the civic building holding photographs of their loved ones
Families of the deceased of the tragic event fatalities walk from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building carrying images of their relatives

The police started to look into the matter.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the defendant, was brought to trial for murder.

Indictments were filed over the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a court ruling protecting the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.

That claim was disputed in the official findings.

Evidence from the inquiry was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a session in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Family members and supporters of the deceased on that day carry a sign and photographs of the victims
Family members and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a placard and images of those killed

Kin of those who were killed on that day made the trip from the city to the judicial building each day of the case.

One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be painful.

"I remember all details in my recollection," he said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and another victim were killed.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the medical transport.

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

"Despite enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were died on Bloody Sunday
Daniel Taylor
Daniel Taylor

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to helping others unlock their potential through mindful practices.