The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding Bloody Sunday Concluded in Acquittal
Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and momentous – days during multiple decades of unrest in the region.
In the streets where it happened – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.
A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear period in the city.
The protest was challenging the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been established in response to three years of conflict.
Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist area.
One image became especially memorable.
Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a stained with blood white handkerchief while attempting to defend a assembly carrying a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.
Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.
Historical records includes Father Daly explaining to a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.
The narrative of events was rejected by the initial investigation.
The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been fired upon initially.
Throughout the negotiation period, the ruling party set up another inquiry, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.
In 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that overall, the soldiers had fired first and that not one of the casualties had been armed.
At that time Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – declaring deaths were "improper and unacceptable."
Authorities commenced look into the matter.
An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was charged for homicide.
Accusations were made over the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.
Soldier F was also accused of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.
Remains a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's privacy, which his attorneys have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.
He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were armed.
This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.
Material from the examination would not be used immediately as testimony in the court case.
In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public with a blue curtain.
He made statements for the opening instance in court at a hearing in that month, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were read.
Kin of those who were killed on the incident journeyed from the city to the courthouse each day of the case.
One relative, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the proceedings would be painful.
"I visualize all details in my memory," the relative said, as we walked around the main locations discussed in the proceedings – from the street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and William McKinney were died.
"It reminds me to where I was that day.
"I participated in moving my brother and put him in the ambulance.
"I relived each detail during the testimony.
"Notwithstanding enduring all that – it's still worthwhile for me."