The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal
January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest โ and momentous โ dates during multiple decades of unrest in the region.
Throughout the area where it happened โ the memories of Bloody Sunday are painted on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.
A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.
The protest was a protest against the practice of imprisonment without charges โ holding suspects without due process โ which had been put in place after three years of violence.
Troops from the specialized division fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district โ which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.
A specific visual became particularly prominent.
Images showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a stained with blood cloth in his effort to shield a assembly carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.
Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.
Historical records features the priest telling a journalist that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the shooting.
The narrative of events was disputed by the original examination.
The first investigation found the soldiers had been attacked first.
In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.
During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that generally, the soldiers had fired first and that zero among the casualties had been armed.
The then government leader, the leader, apologised in the Parliament โ saying fatalities were "improper and unjustifiable."
The police commenced investigate the matter.
An ex-soldier, identified as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.
Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.
Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.
Exists a court ruling maintaining the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.
He testified the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were possessing firearms.
That claim was dismissed in the final report.
Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.
In court, the accused was hidden from public behind a blue curtain.
He spoke for the first time in court at a session in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the allegations were read.
Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the case.
A family member, whose brother Michael was died, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.
"I visualize all details in my recollection," John said, as we examined the key areas mentioned in the trial โ from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the courtyard, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.
"It reminds me to my position that day.
"I helped to carry the victim and place him in the vehicle.
"I experienced again each detail during the evidence.
"Notwithstanding enduring everything โ it's still worthwhile for me."