How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict
Sunday 30 January 1972 remains among the most fatal – and momentous – occasions in three decades of unrest in this area.
In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and embedded in collective memory.
A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.
The protest was opposing the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been put in place following multiple years of conflict.
Troops from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly republican population.
One image became especially memorable.
Pictures showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to protect a crowd transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.
Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.
Documented accounts includes the priest informing a journalist that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.
That version of the incident was disputed by the first inquiry.
The first investigation determined the military had been shot at first.
In the peace process, the ruling party established another inquiry, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.
In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had fired first 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 "improper and unacceptable."
Law enforcement commenced look into the matter.
An ex-soldier, referred to as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.
Indictments were filed concerning the killings of the first individual, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.
Soldier F was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.
Exists a legal order protecting the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at threat.
He testified the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.
The statement was disputed in the final report.
Material from the inquiry could not be used directly as evidence in the criminal process.
In court, the veteran was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.
He made statements for the first time in court at a session in December 2024, to answer "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.
Relatives of the victims on the incident made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the case.
A family member, whose relative was died, said they were aware that listening to the trial would be difficult.
"I can see all details in my recollection," the relative said, as we examined the primary sites discussed in the trial – from the location, where his brother was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were died.
"It even takes me back to where I was that day.
"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the vehicle.
"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.
"Despite experiencing the process – it's still meaningful for me."