The Way this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as among the most fatal – and momentous – dates in thirty years of unrest in this area.

Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was held on a cold but bright afternoon in Derry.

The protest was opposing the system of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without trial – which had been established after multiple years of violence.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist population.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, using a blood-stained fabric as he tried to protect a assembly carrying a youth, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

News camera operators documented much footage on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly explaining to a journalist that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

The narrative of events wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal found the Army had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, the ruling party set up another inquiry, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that zero among the individuals had been armed.

The then government leader, David Cameron, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Authorities began to investigate the events.

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

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of the first individual, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

Soldier F was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a legal order protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have maintained is required because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the final report.

Information from the investigation could not be used directly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the accused was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He spoke for the opening instance in court at a proceeding in that month, to respond "innocent" when the charges were put to him.

Family members of those who were killed on that day travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that listening to the case would be painful.

"I remember all details in my mind's eye," John said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the case – from the street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with the victim and place him in the medical transport.

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding having to go through everything – it's still meaningful for me."