How this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Case Dismissal

Protesters in a stand-off with British soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Youths in a confrontation with military personnel on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most fatal – and momentous – days throughout three decades of conflict in the region.

Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of that fateful day are painted on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

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

The march was opposing the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without trial – which had been established in response to multiple years of conflict.

Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief while attempting to shield a crowd carrying a youth, the injured teenager
Fr Edward Daly used a white cloth stained with blood in an effort to defend a crowd carrying a youth, the fatally wounded youth

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican population.

One image became notably iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to shield a group carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators documented much footage on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly informing a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

Civilians in the district being marched towards custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in the Bogside area being directed to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of events was disputed by the original examination.

The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been shot at first.

During the resolution efforts, the administration established a fresh examination, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the individuals had presented danger.

The then head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – declaring deaths were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Kin of the deceased of the 1972 incident fatalities march from the district of the city to the civic building displaying photographs of their relatives
Kin of the casualties of the tragic event fatalities march from the district of the city to the municipal center carrying images of their family members

Law enforcement started to look into the incident.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, more people, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a judicial decision preserving the defendant's privacy, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had only fired at persons who were possessing firearms.

The statement was rejected in the official findings.

Information from the investigation would not be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

In court, the veteran was screened from view using a protective barrier.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the charges were read.

Kin and advocates of the victims on the incident carry a banner and photos of the deceased
Kin and supporters of the deceased on Bloody Sunday display a placard and photos of the victims

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they always knew that attending the proceedings would be painful.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," he said, as we examined the main locations referenced in the proceedings – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were killed.

"It even takes me back to my position that day.

"I assisted with my brother and put him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again each detail during the testimony.

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

One victim (left) and Another victim (right) were part of who were fatally wounded on Bloody Sunday
Lisa Rice
Lisa Rice

A food industry analyst with over a decade of experience, specializing in consumer trends and product reviews.