How this Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict
January 30th, 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and consequential – dates throughout thirty years of conflict in this area.
Throughout the area of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are painted on the structures and etched in people's minds.
A civil rights march was held on a wintry, sunny day in Derry.
The protest was challenging the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented following three years of unrest.
Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly Irish nationalist population.
A particular photograph became especially memorable.
Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a crowd moving a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.
News camera operators captured considerable film on the day.
Historical records includes Fr Daly telling a reporter that troops "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.
The narrative of events was disputed by the original examination.
The first investigation found the Army had been shot at first.
In the negotiation period, the ruling party established a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.
In 2010, the report by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the casualties had been armed.
The then head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."
The police commenced examine the matter.
One former paratrooper, known as the accused, was brought to trial for murder.
He was charged concerning the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.
Soldier F was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.
There is a legal order maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.
He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.
This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.
Evidence from the examination was unable to be used directly as proof in the court case.
During the trial, the defendant was screened from view using a protective barrier.
He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a proceeding in that month, to answer "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.
Family members of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the trial.
One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the case would be difficult.
"I remember all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we visited the main locations referenced in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and another victim were died.
"It even takes me back to my location that day.
"I helped to carry the victim and put him in the vehicle.
"I relived the entire event during the evidence.
"Notwithstanding enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."