How this Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal
Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most fatal โ and significant โ dates in three decades of unrest in this area.
In the streets of the incident โ the memories of that fateful day are displayed on the walls and embedded in public consciousness.
A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny period in Derry.
The protest was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges โ imprisoning people without trial โ which had been established following multiple years of conflict.
Military personnel from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area โ which was, and continues to be, a predominantly Irish nationalist population.
A particular photograph became particularly iconic.
Images showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a stained with blood fabric as he tried to defend a group transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.
Media personnel captured much footage on the day.
Documented accounts features Fr Daly telling a reporter that military personnel "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.
That version of events was rejected by the initial investigation.
The initial inquiry concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.
Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.
That year, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had posed any threat.
The then head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons โ stating killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."
Law enforcement began to investigate the events.
One former paratrooper, identified as the defendant, was prosecuted for killing.
Accusations were made over the killings of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.
Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.
There is a legal order maintaining the defendant's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at threat.
He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were possessing firearms.
This assertion was rejected in the final report.
Information from the investigation was unable to be used immediately as evidence in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public with a protective barrier.
He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were read.
Kin of the deceased on the incident journeyed from Derry to the courthouse each day of the case.
John Kelly, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the proceedings would be difficult.
"I remember everything in my memory," he said, as we visited the main locations discussed in the case โ from the street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.
"It reminds me to my location that day.
"I assisted with the victim and put him in the ambulance.
"I relived each detail during the proceedings.
"Notwithstanding experiencing everything โ it's still worthwhile for me."