🔗 Share this article The Way the Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal Youths in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most deadly – and consequential – dates in thirty years of violence in this area. Within the community where it happened – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and seared in public consciousness. A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright afternoon in Derry. The protest was opposing the system of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been put in place following three years of conflict. Father Daly used a white cloth stained with blood as he tried to protect a group transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist community. A particular photograph became especially memorable. Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained fabric while attempting to protect a group moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been killed. Media personnel captured much footage on the day. Historical records features Fr Daly telling a journalist that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons. Protesters in the neighborhood being marched towards detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday That version of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry. The first investigation found the Army had been attacked first. During the peace process, the ruling party commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation. In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that on balance, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the individuals had been armed. The then government leader, David Cameron, expressed regret in the government chamber – declaring killings were "without justification and inexcusable." Families of the casualties of the tragic event shootings process from the Bogside area of Derry to the municipal center displaying images of their family members The police started to examine the incident. One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder. Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of James Wray, 22, and twenty-six-year-old another victim. The accused was also accused of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, more people, another person, and an unnamed civilian. There is a court ruling preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at threat. He testified the examination that he had only fired at people who were armed. This assertion was dismissed in the final report. Evidence from the inquiry would not be used immediately as proof in the criminal process. In court, the veteran was hidden from public using a blue curtain. He made statements for the opening instance in the hearing at a hearing in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the allegations were presented. Kin and advocates of those killed on that day carry a banner and photos of the deceased Relatives of those who were killed on that day made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the proceedings. One relative, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that attending the case would be difficult. "I visualize the events in my memory," John said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the case – from the location, where Michael was killed, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where the individual and William McKinney were died. "It returns me to where I was that day. "I participated in moving Michael and place him in the vehicle. "I relived every moment during the testimony. "Notwithstanding enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."