The Way this Trial of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal

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

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most deadly – and momentous – days in three decades of violence in the region.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.

The march was a protest against the system of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place following multiple years of violence.

Fr Edward Daly waved a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to defend a assembly carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy
Fr Edward Daly used a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

One image became especially memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to protect a crowd moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records features Father Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

Civilians in the neighborhood being directed to custody by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being taken to detention by military personnel on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

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

Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that generally, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the individuals had posed any threat.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, apologised in the Parliament – declaring deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."

Families of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the district of Derry to the civic building holding images of their relatives
Kin of the casualties of the tragic event killings process from the neighborhood of the city to the municipal center carrying photographs of their family members

Authorities started to examine the events.

A military veteran, referred to as the defendant, was charged for murder.

He was charged concerning the fatalities of the first individual, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a court ruling protecting the defendant's privacy, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at danger.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at people who were armed.

This assertion was rejected in the concluding document.

Material from the investigation could not be used directly as evidence in the court case.

During the trial, the accused was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Kin and advocates of the deceased on that day carry a banner and images of the deceased
Kin and advocates of the deceased on the incident hold a sign and photos of those killed

Family members of those who were killed on the incident journeyed from the city to the courthouse each day of the case.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was died, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be emotional.

"I can see everything in my memory," John said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the trial – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby the courtyard, where James Wray and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and put him in the medical transport.

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

"Despite having to go through the process – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were included who were died on the incident
Mark Miller
Mark Miller

A seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK affairs, known for insightful reporting and engaging storytelling.

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