How this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and significant – dates during thirty years of violence in this area.

Within the community of the incident – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Londonderry.

The march was opposing the policy of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established in response to three years of conflict.

Military personnel from the elite army unit fatally wounded 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly Irish nationalist population.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Images showed a clergyman, the priest, displaying a stained with blood cloth while attempting to defend a crowd carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

The archive includes the priest telling a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

That version of events was rejected by the original examination.

The first investigation determined the military had been fired upon initially.

In the peace process, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."

The police began to examine the matter.

An ex-soldier, identified as Soldier F, was charged for murder.

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill several people, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision preserving the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have argued is essential because he is at threat.

He stated to the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Evidence from the examination could not be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight behind a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the accusations were read.

Relatives of those who were killed on the incident travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the trial.

A family member, whose relative was died, said they understood that attending the case would be difficult.

"I can see the events in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the primary sites discussed in the case – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the courtyard, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding enduring everything – it's still meaningful for me."