The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and momentous – dates during thirty years of violence in this area.
Throughout the area where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the walls and seared in collective memory.
A protest demonstration was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Derry.
The march was a protest against the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of unrest.
Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly nationalist community.
A particular photograph became especially iconic.
Images showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood cloth in his effort to protect a group carrying a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been killed.
Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.
The archive includes Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that military personnel "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.
That version of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.
The first investigation determined the Army had been attacked first.
Throughout the peace process, the administration established a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.
During 2010, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had been armed.
At that time government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "without justification and unjustifiable."
Authorities began to investigate the incident.
One former paratrooper, identified as the accused, was charged for homicide.
Indictments were filed regarding the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.
Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder multiple individuals, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.
Remains a court ruling maintaining the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.
He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.
That claim was rejected in the final report.
Evidence from the inquiry would not be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.
In the dock, the veteran was shielded from sight using a privacy screen.
He addressed the court for the first time in the hearing at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the charges were put to him.
Relatives of those who were killed on that day travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the case.
John Kelly, whose relative was died, said they were aware that listening to the proceedings would be painful.
"I can see everything in my memory," the relative said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the trial – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were died.
"It reminds me to where I was that day.
"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the vehicle.
"I went through each detail during the testimony.
"Notwithstanding enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."