The Way the Trial of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal
Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and consequential – days throughout three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
Throughout the area where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the walls and etched in people's minds.
A civil rights march was conducted on a wintry, sunny day in Londonderry.
The demonstration was challenging the practice of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been established after multiple years of unrest.
Military personnel from the elite army unit shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly republican population.
A particular photograph became especially iconic.
Images showed a Catholic priest, the priest, waving a bloodied fabric as he tried to protect a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.
Journalists captured much footage on the day.
Historical records contains Father Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.
This account of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.
The first investigation determined the Army had been attacked first.
In the negotiation period, the administration commissioned another inquiry, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.
That year, the findings by Lord Saville said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that zero among the individuals had been armed.
At that time government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring deaths were "unjustified and inexcusable."
The police began to look into the matter.
A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was charged for murder.
He was charged regarding the deaths of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old the second individual.
The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill several people, additional persons, more people, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.
Remains a court ruling maintaining the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.
He stated to the examination that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.
The statement was dismissed in the official findings.
Material from the inquiry could not be used straightforwardly as testimony in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the defendant was screened from view with a protective barrier.
He made statements for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in that month, to respond "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.
Kin of the deceased on the incident travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.
John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the trial would be painful.
"I visualize everything in my recollection," he said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the trial – from the street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and William McKinney were killed.
"It even takes me back to my location that day.
"I participated in moving the victim and put him in the vehicle.
"I went through each detail during the proceedings.
"Despite having to go through all that – it's still valuable for me."
