The Way the Trial of an Army Veteran Over Bloody Sunday Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

January 30th, 1972 remains among the most fatal – and significant – days in multiple decades of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of the tragic events are painted on the walls and etched in collective memory.

A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear day in Londonderry.

The march was opposing the system of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of conflict.

Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

One image became especially memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, the priest, using a bloodied fabric in his effort to shield a group moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists recorded much footage on the day.

Documented accounts features Father Daly informing a media representative that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

That version of what happened was rejected by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that overall, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had presented danger.

The then head of state, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."

Authorities began to look into the incident.

One former paratrooper, known as the defendant, was brought to trial for murder.

He was charged concerning the deaths of the first individual, 22, and 26-year-old another victim.

The accused was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order protecting the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have argued is essential because he is at threat.

He told the investigation that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.

The statement was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the investigation could not be used immediately as proof in the criminal process.

In court, the veteran was hidden from public with a protective barrier.

He spoke for the initial occasion in court at a session in late 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the accusations were put to him.

Kin of the victims on the incident travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose sibling was killed, said they always knew that listening to the case would be painful.

"I visualize all details in my memory," John said, as we walked around the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I relived the entire event during the evidence.

"Despite experiencing the process – it's still worthwhile for me."