How this Trial of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict
January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and significant – days throughout thirty years of unrest in Northern Ireland.
Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are painted on the structures and etched in collective memory.
A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright day in Derry.
The protest was opposing the system of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been put in place after multiple years of conflict.
Troops from the elite army unit shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.
A particular photograph became notably iconic.
Images showed a religious figure, the priest, waving a stained with blood fabric in his effort to protect a group carrying a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.
News camera operators documented extensive video on the day.
Historical records features the priest telling a media representative that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.
This account of the incident was disputed by the first inquiry.
The Widgery Tribunal found the Army had been shot at first.
Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.
That year, the conclusion by the investigation said that overall, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.
At that time government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the government chamber – declaring deaths were "improper and unacceptable."
Law enforcement started to investigate the matter.
A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for homicide.
He was charged concerning the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.
The accused was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.
Remains a court ruling protecting the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.
He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were armed.
That claim was dismissed in the concluding document.
Material from the examination would not be used immediately as testimony in the court case.
In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight using a blue curtain.
He made statements for the opening instance in court at a proceeding in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the charges were presented.
Relatives of those who were killed on that day travelled from Derry to the courthouse each day of the proceedings.
One relative, whose sibling was killed, said they understood that attending the case would be emotional.
"I remember all details in my recollection," he said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and another victim were died.
"It reminds me to my position that day.
"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the medical transport.
"I relived each detail during the evidence.
"Despite enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."