How the Trial of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal
Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as among the most fatal – and consequential – dates throughout multiple decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.
Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and etched in collective memory.
A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear day in the city.
The protest was challenging the practice of internment – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been put in place in response to three years of violence.
Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist area.
A particular photograph became notably memorable.
Images showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.
Journalists recorded much footage on the day.
The archive features Father Daly explaining to a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.
This account of events was rejected by the first inquiry.
The Widgery Tribunal concluded the Army had been fired upon initially.
During the resolution efforts, the administration set up another inquiry, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.
In 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had fired first and that none of the casualties had posed any threat.
The contemporary government leader, the Prime Minister, apologised in the government chamber – stating fatalities were "improper and unjustifiable."
The police commenced investigate the incident.
An ex-soldier, identified as the defendant, was charged for homicide.
He was charged concerning the killings of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.
Soldier F was further implicated of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.
Remains a judicial decision preserving the veteran's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.
He stated to the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were armed.
The statement was disputed in the final report.
Information from the investigation could not be used directly as evidence in the court case.
In court, the veteran was screened from view using a blue curtain.
He made statements for the first time in the hearing at a session in December 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.
Kin of the victims on that day journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.
One relative, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that attending the proceedings would be painful.
"I can see everything in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and William McKinney were killed.
"It even takes me back to my position that day.
"I helped to carry Michael and place him in the medical transport.
"I relived each detail during the evidence.
"But even with having to go through everything – it's still meaningful for me."
