How this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and momentous – days during multiple decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are visible on the walls and seared in public consciousness.
A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.
The protest was a protest against the system of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented following multiple years of conflict.
Troops from the specialized division killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist population.
One image became particularly iconic.
Photographs showed a Catholic priest, the priest, waving a stained with blood cloth as he tried to protect a assembly transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.
Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.
Historical records contains Father Daly telling a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.
That version of what happened was disputed by the initial investigation.
The Widgery Tribunal concluded the military had been fired upon initially.
During the peace process, the ruling party established another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.
During 2010, the report by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the casualties had presented danger.
The then Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – saying fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."
The police began to examine the matter.
One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was charged for killing.
He was charged regarding the fatalities of the first individual, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.
Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unknown person.
Exists a court ruling protecting the veteran's identity protection, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at risk of attack.
He testified the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were armed.
The statement was disputed in the final report.
Material from the inquiry could not be used directly as proof in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public using a protective barrier.
He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to answer "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.
Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the trial.
A family member, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that attending the trial would be difficult.
"I can see everything in my recollection," he said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where James Wray and another victim were fatally wounded.
"It reminds me to my location that day.
"I participated in moving the victim and place him in the vehicle.
"I experienced again each detail during the proceedings.
"Despite experiencing everything – it's still valuable for me."