The Way this Trial of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and significant – days throughout three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.
In the streets of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and embedded in people's minds.
A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear day in the city.
The demonstration was a protest against the system of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established in response to an extended period of unrest.
Troops from the specialized division killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist population.
One image became particularly memorable.
Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to protect a assembly moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.
Media personnel documented much footage on the day.
Historical records features the priest explaining to a journalist that troops "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the gunfire.
This account of events was disputed by the first inquiry.
The initial inquiry concluded the Army had been attacked first.
In the peace process, the administration commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.
In 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that none of the casualties had been armed.
At that time government leader, the leader, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."
The police began to investigate the events.
A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder.
Indictments were filed over the fatalities of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.
Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.
There is a legal order protecting the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at risk of attack.
He told the investigation that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.
The statement was disputed in the concluding document.
Material from the examination was unable to be used immediately as proof in the criminal process.
During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight with a privacy screen.
He spoke for the opening instance in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.
Family members of the victims on that day journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.
One relative, whose sibling was killed, said they always knew that listening to the case would be painful.
"I visualize all details in my memory," he said, as we visited the primary sites discussed in the trial – from the street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where one victim and William McKinney were fatally wounded.
"It even takes me back to my location that day.
"I assisted with Michael and place him in the ambulance.
"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.
"But even with experiencing everything – it's still worthwhile for me."
