How the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and significant – days throughout thirty years of unrest in this area.
Within the community where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the walls and etched in public consciousness.
A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear day in Londonderry.
The protest was opposing the practice of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without due process – which had been established after an extended period of conflict.
Troops from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist area.
One image became especially iconic.
Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood fabric while attempting to protect a assembly transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.
Journalists recorded extensive video on the day.
The archive includes Fr Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the gunfire.
This account of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.
The initial inquiry found the soldiers had been attacked first.
In the peace process, the administration commissioned another inquiry, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.
During 2010, the report by the investigation said that overall, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had presented danger.
At that time government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."
The police started to investigate the incident.
An ex-soldier, referred to as the defendant, was prosecuted for killing.
Accusations were made concerning the fatalities of one victim, 22, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.
The accused was further implicated of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, more people, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.
Remains a court ruling preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is essential because he is at danger.
He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.
The statement was dismissed in the official findings.
Information from the investigation would not be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.
In court, the accused was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.
He addressed the court for the first time in court at a session in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the accusations were read.
Family members of the deceased on the incident travelled from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.
A family member, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.
"I remember all details in my memory," John said, as we examined the primary sites discussed in the case – from the location, where his brother was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where one victim and William McKinney were fatally wounded.
"It reminds me to my location that day.
"I assisted with my brother and put him in the vehicle.
"I went through each detail during the proceedings.
"Despite enduring all that – it's still worthwhile for me."