How this Trial of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal

Protesters in a stand-off with military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most deadly – and momentous – occasions throughout multiple decades of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of that fateful day are displayed on the structures and embedded in collective memory.

A civil rights march was organized on a cold but bright period in the city.

The protest was challenging the system of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of violence.

Fr Edward Daly waved a bloodied fabric in an effort to defend a crowd carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth
A Catholic priest used a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a group carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly republican population.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, using a stained with blood white handkerchief while attempting to protect a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators documented extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains the priest telling a reporter that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the district being taken to custody by military personnel on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday

The narrative of what happened wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The first investigation concluded the Army had been shot at first.

In the negotiation period, the administration set up another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the individuals had been armed.

The then Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – stating killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Relatives of the deceased of the tragic event shootings process from the Bogside area of the city to the municipal center carrying images of their loved ones
Relatives of the deceased of the Bloody Sunday shootings process from the Bogside area of Derry to the civic building displaying photographs of their relatives

The police commenced investigate the events.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of attempting to murder multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at persons who were possessing firearms.

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Information from the inquiry could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the defendant was screened from view using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the accusations were read.

Kin and allies of those killed on Bloody Sunday carry a banner and photos of the deceased
Relatives and advocates of the victims on the incident hold a banner and photos of those killed

Family members of those who were killed on that day made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.

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

"I visualize all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where Michael was killed, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and the second person were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and put him in the medical transport.

"I relived the entire event during the testimony.

"Despite having to go through all that – it's still valuable for me."

James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) were included who were killed on the incident
Meagan Escobar
Meagan Escobar

A seasoned business strategist with over 15 years of experience in agile project management and digital innovation.