How this Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 remains among the most deadly – and consequential – days in multiple decades of violence in this area.
Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the structures and embedded in people's minds.
A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear day in Londonderry.
The march was opposing the policy of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been established following an extended period of unrest.
Military personnel from the specialized division fatally wounded multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly republican area.
A specific visual became particularly prominent.
Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to defend a crowd transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.
Journalists recorded extensive video on the day.
Historical records includes the priest explaining to a journalist that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.
The narrative of what happened wasn't accepted by the original examination.
The first investigation determined the military had been attacked first.
During the peace process, the administration set up another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.
In 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had posed any threat.
At that time government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring deaths were "improper and inexcusable."
The police started to look into the incident.
A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.
He was charged concerning the fatalities of one victim, 22, and 26-year-old the second individual.
Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder several people, additional persons, more people, another person, and an unnamed civilian.
Exists a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have argued is necessary because he is at danger.
He stated to the examination that he had solely shot at persons who were armed.
That claim was rejected in the final report.
Material from the investigation could not be used directly as testimony in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight using a protective barrier.
He addressed the court for the first time in court at a session in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the charges were read.
Family members of those who were killed on that day made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.
A family member, whose relative was died, said they always knew that attending the trial would be emotional.
"I visualize everything in my memory," John said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the trial – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where James Wray and another victim were killed.
"It returns me to where I was that day.
"I assisted with my brother and place him in the medical transport.
"I went through every moment during the proceedings.
"Notwithstanding experiencing the process – it's still meaningful for me."
