How this Trial of a Former Soldier Over Bloody Sunday Ended in Case Dismissal

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and consequential – dates in multiple decades of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the structures and embedded in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a cold but bright day in Derry.

The march was opposing the practice of internment – detaining individuals without trial – which had been put in place following multiple years of violence.

Soldiers from the elite army unit shot dead multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist area.

A specific visual became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a blood-stained cloth as he tried to defend a assembly carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

The archive contains the priest informing a media representative that troops "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

The narrative of what happened was rejected by the initial investigation.

The first investigation concluded the soldiers had been shot at first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had been armed.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, apologised in the government chamber – stating killings were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Authorities commenced look into the events.

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

Indictments were filed over the fatalities of one victim, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unknown person.

There is a judicial decision protecting the soldier's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.

He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the investigation would not be used directly as evidence in the court case.

In the dock, the accused was screened from view with a protective barrier.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the hearing at a hearing in that month, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were presented.

Relatives of the victims on the incident travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.

One relative, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they understood that attending the case would be painful.

"I remember everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we visited the primary sites discussed in the case – from the location, where Michael was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where James Wray and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

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

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

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