The Way the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Case Dismissal

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and consequential – days throughout multiple decades of conflict in the region.

Within the community of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the walls and seared in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a cold but bright period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was challenging the system of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been established in response to multiple years of unrest.

Military personnel from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly republican area.

One image became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief as he tried to defend a assembly carrying a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented much footage on the day.

The archive includes the priest explaining to a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

This account of events was rejected by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the military had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, the administration commissioned a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the casualties had been armed.

The contemporary head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – declaring deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Law enforcement commenced examine the incident.

A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was brought to trial for killing.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of James Wray, 22, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

There is a legal order protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at individuals who were possessing firearms.

The statement was disputed in the official findings.

Evidence from the investigation could not be used straightforwardly as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight behind a protective barrier.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in late 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the accusations were put to him.

Family members of the victims on that day journeyed from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the trial would be emotional.

"I remember everything in my memory," the relative said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and the second person were died.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and lay him in the ambulance.

"I relived every moment during the proceedings.

"But even with having to go through everything – it's still valuable for me."