How this Trial of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal
Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the most deadly – and momentous – days throughout thirty years of violence in this area.
In the streets where it happened – the images of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.
A public gathering was conducted on a cold but bright day in Londonderry.
The demonstration was a protest against the practice of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place following multiple years of conflict.
Troops from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly republican area.
One image became especially prominent.
Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, using a stained with blood white handkerchief as he tried to protect a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.
Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.
Documented accounts features Fr Daly explaining to a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.
The narrative of what happened wasn't accepted by the original examination.
The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been shot at first.
Throughout the resolution efforts, the administration established a new investigation, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.
In 2010, the report by the inquiry said that overall, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that none of the individuals had posed any threat.
The then head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the House of Commons – saying killings were "without justification and inexcusable."
The police started to examine the matter.
A military veteran, known as the defendant, was charged for homicide.
Accusations were made over the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.
Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, more people, an additional individual, and an unknown person.
Exists a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is required because he is at threat.
He testified the examination that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.
This assertion was rejected in the concluding document.
Material from the investigation would not be used directly as proof in the legal proceedings.
In the dock, the accused was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.
He made statements for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the charges were presented.
Kin of the deceased on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the judicial building each day of the case.
John Kelly, whose sibling was died, said they always knew that attending the trial would be difficult.
"I visualize the events in my recollection," he said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the case – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where James Wray and another victim were killed.
"It even takes me back to where I was that day.
"I assisted with Michael and place him in the medical transport.
"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.
"Notwithstanding having to go through everything – it's still worthwhile for me."
