The Way the Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal
Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as one of the deadliest β and consequential β occasions throughout multiple decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.
In the streets where events unfolded β the memories of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.
A protest demonstration was held on a cold but bright day in the city.
The demonstration was challenging the policy of imprisonment without charges β imprisoning people without trial β which had been established following an extended period of conflict.
Troops from the Parachute Regiment shot dead multiple civilians in the neighborhood β which was, and remains, a strongly republican area.
A particular photograph became especially iconic.
Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, waving a stained with blood fabric as he tried to defend a group carrying a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.
Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.
Historical records contains the priest explaining to a media representative that troops "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.
That version of what happened was rejected by the original examination.
The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been attacked first.
In the peace process, the administration set up a new investigation, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.
In 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had been armed.
At that time head of state, David Cameron, expressed regret in the government chamber β saying killings were "without justification and unacceptable."
The police commenced look into the events.
An ex-soldier, identified as the defendant, was prosecuted for murder.
Accusations were made concerning the deaths of the first individual, 22, and 26-year-old the second individual.
The accused was also accused of seeking to harm multiple individuals, additional persons, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.
Exists a court ruling preserving the veteran's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.
He testified the examination that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.
The statement was disputed in the final report.
Information from the inquiry would not be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public with a blue curtain.
He spoke for the first time in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.
Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.
One relative, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the case would be difficult.
"I can see the events in my recollection," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas mentioned in the proceedings β from Rossville Street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and another victim were killed.
"It returns me to my position that day.
"I participated in moving the victim and place him in the medical transport.
"I relived the entire event during the testimony.
"But even with having to go through everything β it's still worthwhile for me."