The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the most fatal – and momentous – dates in multiple decades of violence in this area.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear period in Derry.

The protest was opposing the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of violence.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican population.

One image became notably prominent.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, waving a stained with blood fabric as he tried to shield a assembly carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records contains the priest explaining to a media representative that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

The narrative of the incident was rejected by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry found the military had been shot at first.

During the resolution efforts, the administration set up another inquiry, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

That year, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "without justification and unacceptable."

The police started to examine the incident.

An ex-soldier, known as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of James Wray, twenty-two, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a court ruling protecting the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was disputed in the official findings.

Information from the investigation could not be used directly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight using a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in that month, to reply "innocent" when the accusations were presented.

Kin of the deceased on that day made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they were aware that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.

"I remember all details in my memory," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and place him in the ambulance.

"I relived each detail during the proceedings.

"But even with experiencing all that – it's still worthwhile for me."