How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Case Dismissal
Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and consequential – occasions throughout thirty years of unrest in the region.
Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of the tragic events are painted on the structures and etched in collective memory.
A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear day in the city.
The march was a protest against the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented in response to three years of unrest.
Soldiers from the elite army unit killed 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly republican area.
A particular photograph became notably iconic.
Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, displaying a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a group moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.
Journalists captured extensive video on the day.
Historical records features Fr Daly informing a journalist that military personnel "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the gunfire.
The narrative of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.
The Widgery Tribunal found the Army had been fired upon initially.
During the negotiation period, the administration commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.
During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that generally, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had presented danger.
At that time Prime Minister, the leader, apologised in the House of Commons – declaring fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."
Law enforcement started to investigate the events.
A military veteran, referred to as Soldier F, was charged for killing.
Accusations were made concerning the killings of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.
The defendant was also accused of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, another person, and an unidentified individual.
Exists a court ruling protecting the soldier's identity protection, which his attorneys have maintained is necessary because he is at risk of attack.
He stated to the examination that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.
This assertion was disputed in the official findings.
Evidence from the examination was unable to be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.
In the dock, the veteran was screened from view with a privacy screen.
He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the charges were presented.
Family members of the victims on the incident journeyed from the city to the courthouse daily of the trial.
John Kelly, whose sibling was killed, said they understood that hearing the trial would be painful.
"I visualize all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were died.
"It reminds me to my position that day.
"I assisted with my brother and put him in the vehicle.
"I went through the entire event during the testimony.
"Notwithstanding experiencing everything – it's still meaningful for me."
