The Way the Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal
January 30th, 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and consequential – dates in multiple decades of violence in this area.
Within the community of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are painted on the walls and embedded in people's minds.
A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear day in Derry.
The demonstration was a protest against the policy of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented following an extended period of violence.
Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a strongly nationalist area.
A particular photograph became especially prominent.
Images showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, using a blood-stained fabric as he tried to protect a assembly moving a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.
Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.
The archive features Father Daly informing a media representative that soldiers "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.
This account of events was disputed by the first inquiry.
The initial inquiry concluded the Army had been attacked first.
Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government commissioned another inquiry, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.
During 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the victims had been armed.
The then head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."
The police began to investigate the matter.
One former paratrooper, known as the defendant, was prosecuted for homicide.
He was charged concerning the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old William McKinney.
The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.
There is a court ruling protecting the defendant's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is required because he is at danger.
He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.
The statement was rejected in the concluding document.
Evidence from the inquiry would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the accused was screened from view with a protective barrier.
He made statements for the first time in court at a proceeding in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the charges were put to him.
Kin of those who were killed on that day journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse each day of the case.
A family member, whose relative was died, said they understood that hearing the proceedings would be painful.
"I can see the events in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the trial – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and the second person were died.
"It returns me to where I was that day.
"I assisted with Michael and place him in the vehicle.
"I went through each detail during the proceedings.
"Despite enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."