The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal
Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the most fatal – and momentous – dates throughout thirty years of violence in this area.
Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.
A public gathering was conducted on a cold but bright period in the city.
The protest was opposing the system of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been put in place in response to an extended period of violence.
Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly Irish nationalist population.
A specific visual became especially prominent.
Pictures showed a clergyman, Father Daly, displaying a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a group transporting a young man, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.
Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.
Documented accounts contains Fr Daly telling a media representative that troops "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.
The narrative of the incident was disputed by the initial investigation.
The Widgery Tribunal found the soldiers had been shot at first.
In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.
That year, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had presented danger.
The then government leader, David Cameron, expressed regret in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."
Authorities commenced look into the incident.
A military veteran, identified as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.
He was charged concerning the fatalities of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.
The accused was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.
Exists a court ruling maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is necessary because he is at threat.
He testified the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were possessing firearms.
The statement was disputed in the final report.
Information from the examination was unable to be used straightforwardly as proof in the court case.
In the dock, the accused was screened from view using a privacy screen.
He addressed the court for the opening instance in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.
Relatives of those who were killed on the incident journeyed from the city to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.
A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be painful.
"I can see all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where his brother was killed, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.
"It even takes me back to my location that day.
"I helped to carry Michael and put him in the medical transport.
"I relived each detail during the testimony.
"Despite experiencing all that – it's still worthwhile for me."