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

Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a stand-off with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and significant – occasions in thirty years of unrest in this area.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are visible on the walls and seared in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Londonderry.

The march was challenging the practice of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following multiple years of violence.

Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a group moving a young man, the injured teenager
A Catholic priest waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to defend a crowd transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded youth

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist area.

One image became notably prominent.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood fabric as he tried to defend a crowd carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded considerable film on the day.

The archive contains Father Daly informing a media representative that troops "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

Individuals in the neighborhood being directed to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Individuals in the Bogside area being marched towards arrest by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

That version of what happened was rejected by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the peace process, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that zero among the individuals had been armed.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

Families of the casualties of the tragic event fatalities walk from the neighborhood of Derry to the civic building displaying images of their loved ones
Relatives of the casualties of the tragic event shootings process from the Bogside area of Londonderry to the civic building displaying images of their loved ones

Law enforcement began to look into the events.

A military veteran, referred to as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.

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

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, more people, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the defendant's privacy, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the investigation that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the final report.

Information from the examination could not be used immediately as evidence in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the defendant was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in late 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the charges were presented.

Family members and allies of the deceased on the incident carry a banner and images of the deceased
Family members and advocates of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a sign and photographs of the victims

Relatives of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the trial.

A family member, whose sibling was died, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the case – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I went through every moment during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still valuable for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were among those who were killed on the incident
Gregory Hess DDS
Gregory Hess DDS

A tech enthusiast and creative writer passionate about innovation and storytelling, sharing insights from years of experience in digital fields.