How this Legal Case of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict
Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and significant – dates during three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.
Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and seared in public consciousness.
A protest demonstration was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.
The demonstration was opposing the system of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been implemented after an extended period of unrest.
Soldiers from the specialized division shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly republican area.
One image became particularly memorable.
Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood cloth in his effort to protect a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.
Journalists documented considerable film on the day.
Historical records contains Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that soldiers "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.
That version of the incident was rejected by the first inquiry.
The Widgery Tribunal determined the soldiers had been shot at first.
In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.
In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the victims had been armed.
The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."
The police began to examine the events.
A military veteran, referred to as Soldier F, was charged for murder.
Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.
The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.
Exists a legal order preserving the veteran's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is required because he is at danger.
He told the examination that he had only fired at persons who were armed.
That claim was rejected in the official findings.
Information from the examination was unable to be used directly as evidence in the criminal process.
During the trial, the defendant was hidden from public with a privacy screen.
He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a hearing in that month, to answer "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.
Relatives of those who were killed on that day made the trip from Derry to the judicial building daily of the case.
One relative, whose relative was died, said they understood that hearing the case would be difficult.
"I can see the events in my recollection," he said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were died.
"It reminds me to where I was that day.
"I helped to carry my brother and place him in the vehicle.
"I went through every moment during the proceedings.
"But even with enduring all that – it's still worthwhile for me."