When Soldier F, a former 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment of the British Army, was found not guilty of all seven charges stemming from the 1972 Bloody SundayDerry massacre, the verdict sparked fresh outcry from victims’ families and reignited a decades‑old debate over accountability.
The acquittal was delivered yesterday at Belfast Crown Court, a historic stone building in the Laganside district of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Judge Sir Reginald Harrison read the verdict after a 139‑day trial that saw more than 90 witnesses testify.
Background: The 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre
On 30 January 1972, a peaceful civil‑rights march organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association rolled through the Bogside, a predominantly nationalist neighbourhood in Derry. Protesters were demanding an end to internment without trial, a policy introduced on 9 August 1971 under Operation Demetrius.
Between 15:00 and 16:00 GMT, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment opened fire on unarmed civilians. Thirteen people were killed on the spot; a fourteenth, John Johnston, succumbed to his injuries months later. Among the dead were James Ray (22) and William McKini (27). The incident became one of the deadliest single days of the Troubles, a conflict that lasted roughly thirty years.
Legal journey from the Saville Inquiry to the 2022 trial
Initial investigations, notably the Widgery Tribunal (April 1972), largely cleared the soldiers. Decades later, the British government launched the Saville Inquiry on 2 April 1998, chaired by Justice Lord Saville. The inquiry cost about £191.7 million, heard from 957 witnesses over twelve years, and finally published its report on 15 June 2010. Its findings concluded that the victims were entirely innocent and that soldiers fired without warning.
Based on the Saville Report, the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPSNI) announced on 5 November 2019 that it would bring charges against the soldier known only as "Soldier F". The trial began on 3 October 2022, the first major court hearing related to Bloody Sunday in more than a decade.
The courtroom drama at Belfast Crown Court
Prosecutors alleged that Soldier F was responsible for two counts of murder (Ray and McKini) and five counts of attempted murder. Defence counsel argued that the soldier had fired only at individuals they believed to be armed threats – a claim the Saville Inquiry had previously found unsupported.
Evidence included archival footage, forensic ballistics, and testimonies from former soldiers, residents, and journalists like Chris Page of the Belfast News. The prosecution highlighted that the 1st Battalion had been deployed to Derry only a day before the shooting, on 29 January 1972, raising questions about their preparedness.
After weeks of cross‑examination, Judge Harrison delivered the verdict: not guilty on all counts. The judgment cited insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Soldier F had intentionally targeted unarmed civilians.
Reactions: Families, officials, and public opinion
Immediately after the announcement, Paul Young, speaking on behalf of Bloody Sunday families, shouted, “I ask you, who’s the terrorist?” The statement captured the pain felt by relatives who have waited nearly five decades for what they consider justice.
Irish Minister for Justice Helen McEntee expressed disappointment, noting that the verdict “deepens the wounds of a community that has already endured too much.” In contrast, a spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defence said the judgment reflects “the independent process of law in Northern Ireland.”
Public reaction was split. In Derry’s Bogside, some residents gathered to chant “Free the prisoners” while others held candles in memory of the victims. Online commentary ranged from calls for a fresh appeal to pleas for reconciliation and a focus on healing.
What’s next? Possible appeals and legacy investigations
The PPSNI has ten days to decide whether to appeal the verdict. Legal experts predict that any appeal would hinge on new forensic evidence – something the original trial said was lacking.
Meanwhile, the Historical Investigations Unit, created under the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement, continues to review legacy cases. With roughly 3,500 deaths recorded during the Troubles still under scrutiny, the unit’s work may bring further court actions, though resources remain stretched.
- Key fact: The trial lasted 139 days and involved 90 witnesses.
- Key fact: The Saville Inquiry cost £191.7 million.
- Key fact: 44 British soldiers were killed by paramilitaries in 1971; 104 in 1972.
- Key fact: Operation Banner, the British deployment to Northern Ireland, ran from 1969 to 2007.
Regardless of legal outcomes, the Blood‑soaked streets of the Bogside remain a stark reminder that history’s wounds can linger long after the guns fall silent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Soldier F tried so many years after Bloody Sunday?
The Saville Inquiry, completed in 2010, concluded that the original investigations were flawed and that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute. The Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland then spent 20 months reviewing the report before deciding to bring charges in 2019, leading to the 2022 trial.
What impact does the acquittal have on the families of the victims?
For many relatives, the verdict feels like a denial of justice after decades of advocacy. It has reignited calls for an official apology and may prompt further legal avenues, such as an appeal or civil lawsuits, though emotional healing remains a long‑term challenge.
Could new evidence change the outcome if the case is appealed?
Appeals typically require fresh, material evidence that was unavailable at the original trial. So far, no new forensic findings have emerged, making a successful appeal uncertain, though the PPSNI is reviewing whether any overlooked testimony could be relevant.
How does this case fit into the broader legacy of the Troubles?
Bloody Sunday remains one of the most defining events of the Troubles. The acquittal underscores ongoing tensions over how history is interpreted, the role of state forces, and the pursuit of accountability in post‑conflict societies.
What are the next steps for the Historical Investigations Unit?
The unit will continue examining unresolved cases, prioritising those with new evidence or significant public interest. Funding remains limited, so progress will be incremental, but the unit’s mandate is to provide factual clarity for all legacy deaths.