How the Trial of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

January 30th, 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and significant – days in thirty years of violence in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and embedded in collective memory.

A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear day in the city.

The protest was challenging the policy of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established following multiple years of unrest.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment 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.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief while attempting to defend a assembly carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators captured much footage on the day.

The archive features Fr Daly explaining to a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

The narrative of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The first investigation found the Army had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

At that time head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – stating deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."

Authorities started to examine the incident.

One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for killing.

Accusations were made concerning the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a court ruling preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He stated to the investigation that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.

In the dock, the veteran was shielded from sight behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in that month, to answer "innocent" when the charges were read.

Kin of the deceased on that day made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they always knew that attending the trial would be painful.

"I remember all details in my recollection," the relative said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where Michael was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and place him in the ambulance.

"I relived the entire event during the testimony.

"But even with enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."