How the Trial of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict
Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – days throughout three decades of violence in this area.
Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and seared in public consciousness.
A civil rights march was held on a wintry, sunny day in the city.
The march was opposing the system of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been put in place after three years of unrest.
Military personnel from the specialized division killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.
A particular photograph became especially memorable.
Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a bloodied cloth while attempting to shield a group transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.
Journalists captured much footage on the day.
The archive features Father Daly explaining to a media representative that military personnel "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.
This account of events wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.
The first investigation concluded the Army had been attacked first.
Throughout the peace process, the administration set up a new investigation, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.
That year, the findings 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 head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."
The police began to look into the events.
A military veteran, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.
He was charged concerning the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.
The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.
Exists a court ruling maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have argued is essential because he is at risk of attack.
He testified the examination that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.
The statement was disputed in the final report.
Material from the examination was unable to be used directly as evidence in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the accused was screened from view behind a protective barrier.
He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in December 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the charges were read.
Kin of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the case.
A family member, whose relative was died, said they always knew that hearing the case would be difficult.
"I can see the events in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby the area, where the individual and another victim were died.
"It even takes me back to my position that day.
"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the vehicle.
"I went through each detail during the evidence.
"Despite enduring all that – it's still valuable for me."