How this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most deadly – and significant – dates throughout thirty years of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and embedded in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was opposing the policy of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place in response to an extended period of conflict.

Military personnel from the elite army unit fatally wounded 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist community.

A specific visual became especially prominent.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood cloth while attempting to protect a group carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts includes the priest informing a media representative that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

That version of the incident was disputed by the original examination.

The first investigation determined the military had been shot at first.

Throughout the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government established a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that not one of the individuals had posed any threat.

The contemporary head of state, the leader, issued an apology in the government chamber – stating deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Authorities began to examine the matter.

One former paratrooper, known as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.

Indictments were filed concerning the deaths of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a court ruling maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have argued is essential because he is at threat.

He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at people who were armed.

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Information from the investigation was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public with a blue curtain.

He made statements for the first time in court at a proceeding in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the accusations were read.

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see the events in my mind's eye," he said, as we examined the main locations referenced in the case – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and put him in the vehicle.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"Despite enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."