How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Youths in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most fatal – and significant – dates in multiple decades of unrest in the region.

In the streets where it happened – the legacy of the tragic events are visible on the structures and seared in people's minds.

A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The march was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been put in place following an extended period of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a bloodied fabric while attempting to protect a assembly transporting a young man, the injured teenager
Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to shield a group transporting a young man, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the specialized division shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a strongly republican population.

One image became particularly memorable.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a bloodied cloth while attempting to defend a group transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records contains Father Daly telling a journalist that military personnel "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

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

The narrative of the incident was disputed by the first inquiry.

The first investigation found the Army had been attacked first.

In the peace process, the administration established a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that generally, the paratroopers had fired first and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

The contemporary head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event shootings process from the district of Derry to the municipal center displaying photographs of their relatives
Families of the deceased of the 1972 incident killings process from the Bogside area of Derry to the municipal center carrying photographs of their loved ones

The police started to look into the matter.

A military veteran, identified as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

He was charged over the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his lawyers have argued is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was dismissed in the final report.

Evidence from the inquiry could not be used directly as evidence in the criminal process.

During the trial, the defendant was hidden from public behind a blue curtain.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to answer "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Relatives and advocates of the deceased on that day hold a banner and photographs of the victims
Kin and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday carry a placard and images of the victims

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from the city to Belfast Crown Court every day of the trial.

One relative, whose relative was died, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be emotional.

"I remember everything in my memory," John said, as we visited the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and another victim were killed.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and lay him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding having to go through everything – it's still worthwhile for me."

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were died on the incident
Jesus Lee
Jesus Lee

A passionate travel writer and photographer based in Umbria, sharing hidden gems and local stories from Italy's heartland.