The Way the Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and consequential – occasions in multiple decades of unrest in the region.
In the streets where it happened – the images of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and seared 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 practice of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been established following multiple years of unrest.
Military personnel from the elite army unit fatally wounded 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.
A particular photograph became especially prominent.
Photographs showed a clergyman, the priest, waving a stained with blood cloth while attempting to defend a assembly carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.
News camera operators captured much footage on the day.
The archive features Fr Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.
That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the original examination.
The first investigation found the Army had been fired upon initially.
Throughout the peace process, the administration established another inquiry, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.
That year, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that none of the casualties had been armed.
At that time Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the government chamber – saying deaths were "improper and unjustifiable."
Law enforcement started to investigate the events.
An ex-soldier, referred to as the defendant, was prosecuted for killing.
Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of James Wray, 22, and 26-year-old the second individual.
The accused was further implicated of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.
Remains a judicial decision protecting the soldier's anonymity, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.
He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.
That claim was rejected in the official findings.
Material from the investigation would not be used immediately as proof in the criminal process.
During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public with a privacy screen.
He spoke for the initial occasion in court at a session in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.
Relatives of the victims on the incident travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the case.
One relative, whose relative was died, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be difficult.
"I visualize everything in my memory," he said, as we visited the main locations discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and another victim were fatally wounded.
"It reminds me to my location that day.
"I assisted with my brother and place him in the medical transport.
"I went through the entire event during the evidence.
"But even with experiencing everything – it's still meaningful for me."
