The Way the Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Youths in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as among the most fatal – and consequential – dates throughout thirty years of violence in this area.

In the streets where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a cold but bright period in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been put in place in response to three years of violence.

Fr Edward Daly used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a group carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy
A Catholic priest displayed a bloodied fabric in an effort to protect a group transporting a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.

One image became especially memorable.

Images showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a blood-stained cloth in his effort to shield a group moving a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the neighborhood being taken to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The initial inquiry concluded the military had been fired upon initially.

In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the report by the investigation said that generally, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the casualties had been armed.

The contemporary government leader, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."

Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday fatalities walk from the district of Londonderry to the civic building holding photographs of their family members
Kin of the casualties of the tragic event shootings march from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building carrying photographs of their relatives

The police commenced investigate the incident.

A military veteran, known as the accused, was charged for killing.

He was charged concerning the fatalities of the first individual, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a court ruling maintaining the defendant's anonymity, which his attorneys have argued is essential because he is at threat.

He testified the examination that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was rejected in the concluding document.

Material from the examination would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

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

He made statements for the first time in court at a session in that month, to reply "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Family members and advocates of the victims on that day carry a banner and photographs of the deceased
Family members and supporters of the deceased on that day carry a placard and images of the victims

Kin of those who were killed on the incident travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse each day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that listening to the case would be difficult.

"I can see the events in my memory," the relative said, as we examined the main locations discussed in the trial – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and another victim were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

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

"I experienced again each detail during the evidence.

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

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

A passionate lifestyle blogger and trend enthusiast, sharing insights on fashion, decor, and daily inspirations from across the UK.