How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a tense situation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as one of the deadliest – and significant – dates in thirty years of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the images of that fateful day are visible on the structures and etched in people's minds.

A civil rights march was organized on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was a protest against the system of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place following multiple years of unrest.

Fr Edward Daly displayed a white cloth stained with blood while attempting to protect a crowd carrying a young man, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a assembly moving a young man, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the elite army unit killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly memorable.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, using a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to shield a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented much footage on the day.

Documented accounts contains Father Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by British troops on Bloody Sunday

That version of events wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal found the military had been attacked first.

In the peace process, the administration commissioned a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that generally, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the victims had presented danger.

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "improper and unjustifiable."

Kin of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings march from the district of Derry to the municipal center holding images of their family members
Relatives of the casualties of the Bloody Sunday shootings walk from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the Guildhall carrying images of their relatives

Authorities began to investigate the matter.

An ex-soldier, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for murder.

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of the first individual, 22, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a judicial decision maintaining the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In court, the defendant was hidden from public with a protective barrier.

He spoke for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Family members and supporters of the victims on the incident hold a banner and images of those killed
Kin and advocates of those killed on the incident display a placard and photos of those killed

Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the case.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that attending the trial would be difficult.

"I can see everything in my memory," the relative said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the case – from the location, where his brother was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and another victim were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

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

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

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

James Wray (left) and Another victim (right) were among those who were killed on Bloody Sunday
Jennifer Ortiz
Jennifer Ortiz

A tech enthusiast and business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup consulting.