How the Trial of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 remains one of the most deadly – and significant – dates during three decades of unrest in the region.
In the streets where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and etched in public consciousness.
A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright period in Derry.
The protest was challenging the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without due process – which had been established after an extended period of unrest.
Soldiers from the elite army unit shot dead thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.
A specific visual became especially iconic.
Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, using a blood-stained cloth in his effort to defend a group moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.
News camera operators captured much footage on the day.
The archive features the priest telling a reporter that troops "appeared to fire in all directions" 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 initial investigation.
The first investigation determined the military had been shot at first.
In the resolution efforts, the administration established another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.
During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.
The contemporary government leader, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the government chamber – declaring fatalities were "improper and unjustifiable."
The police commenced look into the events.
A military veteran, identified as the accused, was prosecuted for homicide.
Accusations were made regarding the killings of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.
The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unknown person.
There is a court ruling protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is essential because he is at risk of attack.
He told the investigation that he had solely shot at people who were carrying weapons.
The statement was rejected in the official findings.
Material from the inquiry could not be used directly as evidence in the legal proceedings.
In the dock, the defendant was hidden from public using a protective barrier.
He made statements for the opening instance in the hearing at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.
Kin of the victims on that day journeyed from the city to the courthouse every day of the proceedings.
A family member, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they understood that attending the trial would be difficult.
"I visualize all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we visited the main locations referenced in the case – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and another victim were died.
"It returns me to my location that day.
"I helped to carry Michael and put him in the medical transport.
"I relived every moment during the testimony.
"Notwithstanding having to go through everything – it's still meaningful for me."
