How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Case Dismissal
January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the deadliest – and consequential – days during thirty years of violence in the region.
Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of that fateful day are visible on the walls and etched in collective memory.
A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny day in Londonderry.
The protest was a protest against the policy of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of violence.
Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly Irish nationalist community.
A specific visual became particularly prominent.
Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, using a blood-stained fabric while attempting to defend a group transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.
Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.
Documented accounts includes the priest informing a media representative that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.
This account of the incident was rejected by the original examination.
The Widgery Tribunal determined the military had been fired upon initially.
Throughout the peace process, the administration set up 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 military personnel had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.
At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."
Law enforcement started to look into the events.
A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.
Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of the first individual, 22, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.
Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.
There is a court ruling maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have maintained is necessary because he is at threat.
He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.
The statement was rejected in the concluding document.
Material from the examination was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.
In court, the defendant was hidden from public behind a privacy screen.
He addressed the court for the first time in court at a session in that month, to answer "innocent" when the accusations were presented.
Kin of the deceased on that day travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse each day of the case.
One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be painful.
"I remember all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the case – from the street, where his brother was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where one victim and William McKinney were died.
"It even takes me back to my location that day.
"I participated in moving Michael and place him in the vehicle.
"I relived the entire event during the testimony.
"Despite enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."