How the Trial of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal
Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and consequential – days in three decades of unrest in the region.
Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of that fateful day are visible on the walls and embedded in collective memory.
A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny period in Derry.
The march was opposing the system of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been put in place after multiple years of unrest.
Troops from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican area.
A specific visual became particularly prominent.
Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a bloodied cloth as he tried to defend a assembly moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.
Journalists documented much footage on the day.
Documented accounts features Father Daly informing a journalist that military personnel "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the shooting.
The narrative of events was disputed by the first inquiry.
The first investigation found the Army had been attacked first.
Throughout the negotiation period, the administration set up a fresh examination, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.
During 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had presented danger.
The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "without justification and unjustifiable."
The police commenced investigate the events.
One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.
Indictments were filed over the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and 26-year-old another victim.
Soldier F was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, more people, an additional individual, and an unknown person.
Exists a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at danger.
He told the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.
That claim was disputed in the final report.
Evidence from the examination was unable to be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.
During the trial, the defendant was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.
He made statements for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in late 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were put to him.
Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the case.
John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.
"I visualize everything in my recollection," he said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the trial – from the street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the courtyard, where the individual and William McKinney were killed.
"It even takes me back to my position that day.
"I assisted with my brother and place him in the vehicle.
"I experienced again the entire event during the testimony.
"But even with experiencing the process – it's still meaningful for me."
