The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal
January 30th, 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and significant – days during thirty years of violence in Northern Ireland.
Throughout the area of the incident – the images of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.
A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny day in Londonderry.
The demonstration was a protest against the practice of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without trial – which had been established after an extended period of conflict.
Troops from the elite army unit shot dead multiple civilians in the district – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist area.
A particular photograph became especially iconic.
Images showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to shield a group transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.
Media personnel documented extensive video on the day.
Historical records features Fr Daly explaining to a journalist that troops "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the shooting.
That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.
The first investigation concluded the Army had been attacked first.
Throughout the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.
In 2010, the report by the investigation said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the casualties had posed any threat.
At that time government leader, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."
Authorities began to investigate the events.
A military veteran, known as the accused, was charged for killing.
Accusations were made over the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.
The defendant was also accused of trying to kill several people, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.
Exists a judicial decision preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is necessary because he is at danger.
He told the examination that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.
The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.
Information from the inquiry would not be used directly as proof in the court case.
In court, the veteran was hidden from public with a privacy screen.
He made statements for the first time in court at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.
Relatives of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.
John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that hearing the trial would be painful.
"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where James Wray and another victim were killed.
"It returns me to where I was that day.
"I participated in moving Michael and place him in the vehicle.
"I relived every moment during the testimony.
"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still valuable for me."