The Way the Prosecution of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and momentous – occasions during three decades of unrest in this area.
Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the walls and etched in people's minds.
A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright day in the city.
The march was challenging the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without trial – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of unrest.
Troops from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican population.
One image became notably iconic.
Pictures showed a religious figure, Father Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to shield a crowd carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.
Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.
Historical records includes the priest explaining to a reporter that soldiers "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.
That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the original examination.
The Widgery Tribunal found the military had been shot at first.
Throughout the resolution efforts, the administration set up another inquiry, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.
In 2010, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had presented danger.
The contemporary government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."
The police began to investigate the events.
A military veteran, referred to as the defendant, was brought to trial for homicide.
Accusations were made over the fatalities of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.
Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.
Exists a legal order maintaining the defendant's identity protection, which his attorneys have argued is required because he is at danger.
He told the examination that he had only fired at persons who were possessing firearms.
The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.
Material from the examination was unable to be used immediately as proof in the criminal process.
During the trial, the veteran was screened from view using a blue curtain.
He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a proceeding in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.
Family members of those who were killed on that day travelled from Derry to the judicial building each day of the case.
One relative, whose relative was died, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be difficult.
"I can see the events in my recollection," John said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were died.
"It even takes me back to where I was that day.
"I helped to carry my brother and place him in the medical transport.
"I went through every moment during the testimony.
"But even with experiencing the process – it's still valuable for me."