The Way this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal
Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the most fatal – and consequential – occasions during multiple decades of unrest in the region.
Throughout the area of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and etched in collective memory.
A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.
The march was opposing the practice of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been established after multiple years of violence.
Soldiers from the elite army unit killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist population.
A specific visual became especially prominent.
Images showed a clergyman, the priest, waving a blood-stained cloth as he tried to shield a crowd transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.
Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.
The archive includes Father Daly informing a reporter that troops "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.
The narrative of what happened was disputed by the original examination.
The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been fired upon initially.
Throughout the negotiation period, the ruling party established a fresh examination, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.
That year, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the individuals had been armed.
At that time head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – stating fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."
Law enforcement commenced look into the matter.
One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was brought to trial for killing.
Accusations were made regarding the deaths of the first individual, 22, and in his mid-twenties another victim.
Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.
Exists a court ruling maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.
He told the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were carrying weapons.
That claim was rejected in the final report.
Evidence from the inquiry was unable to be used straightforwardly as proof in the legal proceedings.
In court, the accused was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.
He spoke for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in late 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.
Family members of the victims on that day travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the proceedings.
One relative, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they always knew that attending the proceedings would be difficult.
"I visualize the events in my memory," John said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the case – from the street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where James Wray and William McKinney were killed.
"It returns me to my position that day.
"I helped to carry the victim and lay him in the medical transport.
"I went through every moment during the testimony.
"Despite experiencing everything – it's still worthwhile for me."