The Way this Prosecution of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and significant – dates during multiple decades of violence in this area.
Throughout the area where it happened – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the walls and etched in collective memory.
A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.
The march was a protest against the policy of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been established following multiple years of unrest.
Soldiers from the specialized division shot dead multiple civilians in the district – which was, and still is, a strongly nationalist population.
A specific visual became particularly prominent.
Images showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to defend a assembly transporting a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.
Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.
Historical records contains the priest explaining to a journalist that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.
The narrative of events was rejected by the first inquiry.
The Widgery Tribunal determined the military had been attacked first.
In the negotiation period, the administration established a fresh examination, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.
In 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the victims had posed any threat.
The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, apologised in the Parliament – declaring killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."
Authorities started to investigate the events.
One former paratrooper, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for homicide.
Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.
The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm multiple individuals, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.
Remains a legal order preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at danger.
He told the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.
That claim was disputed in the final report.
Evidence from the inquiry could not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.
During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public behind a privacy screen.
He addressed the court for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.
Kin of the victims on the incident journeyed from the city to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.
One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they always knew that attending the proceedings would be painful.
"I remember the events in my recollection," John said, as we walked around the main locations referenced in the case – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and the second person were died.
"It returns me to where I was that day.
"I assisted with the victim and put him in the ambulance.
"I experienced again the entire event during the proceedings.
"Despite experiencing the process – it's still meaningful for me."