The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and significant – dates in thirty years of violence in Northern Ireland.
In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of that fateful day are painted on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.
A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.
The protest was opposing the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been established after multiple years of violence.
Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist population.
A particular photograph became notably memorable.
Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood fabric as he tried to shield a assembly moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.
News camera operators recorded considerable film on the day.
Historical records contains Fr Daly informing a media representative that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.
The narrative of the incident wasn't accepted by the original examination.
The Widgery Tribunal concluded the military had been shot at first.
Throughout the negotiation period, the administration commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.
In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the individuals had presented danger.
The then government leader, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the Parliament – saying deaths were "unjustified and inexcusable."
The police started to examine the incident.
An ex-soldier, referred to as the accused, was charged for homicide.
Accusations were made over the fatalities of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.
The defendant was additionally charged of attempting to murder multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.
Remains a judicial decision maintaining the defendant's anonymity, which his lawyers have argued is necessary because he is at danger.
He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.
The statement was rejected in the concluding document.
Material from the inquiry could not be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight using a protective barrier.
He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a hearing in that month, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were presented.
Kin of the victims on the incident travelled from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.
A family member, whose sibling was killed, said they were aware that hearing the case would be difficult.
"I visualize all details in my memory," the relative said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were died.
"It even takes me back to my location that day.
"I helped to carry Michael and lay him in the medical transport.
"I relived every moment during the proceedings.
"But even with having to go through all that – it's still meaningful for me."