The Way this Prosecution of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Acquittal
Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the deadliest β and momentous β dates in three decades of conflict in this area.
In the streets of the incident β the images of the tragic events are visible on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.
A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear day in Londonderry.
The march was a protest against the system of internment β holding suspects without due process β which had been implemented following multiple years of violence.
Military personnel from the elite army unit killed 13 people in the district β which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist area.
One image became especially prominent.
Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, waving a bloodied white handkerchief in his effort to protect a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.
News camera operators captured considerable film on the day.
Historical records features Father Daly informing a reporter that troops "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the gunfire.
That version of events was disputed by the original examination.
The first investigation found the military had been shot at first.
In the negotiation period, the ruling party set up another inquiry, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.
That year, the report by Lord Saville said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had posed any threat.
At that time head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the House of Commons β declaring fatalities were "unjustified and unacceptable."
The police started to look into the incident.
One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder.
Accusations were made regarding the killings of one victim, in his twenties, and 26-year-old another victim.
The accused was further implicated of trying to kill several people, other civilians, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.
There is a judicial decision maintaining the defendant's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.
He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at individuals who were carrying weapons.
The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.
Information from the examination would not be used directly as testimony in the court case.
In court, the accused was shielded from sight using a protective barrier.
He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the charges were put to him.
Kin of the deceased on the incident made the trip from Derry to the judicial building daily of the trial.
John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that attending the trial would be difficult.
"I can see all details in my recollection," John said, as we examined the main locations referenced in the proceedings β from the location, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby the area, where James Wray and another victim were killed.
"It reminds me to my position that day.
"I helped to carry the victim and place him in the vehicle.
"I experienced again every moment during the proceedings.
"Despite experiencing all that β it's still meaningful for me."