How the Prosecution of a Former Soldier Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Case Dismissal

January 30th, 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and momentous – dates during multiple decades of conflict in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny day in Londonderry.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place in response to an extended period of unrest.

Troops from the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

One image became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, the priest, using a blood-stained cloth while attempting to defend a group moving a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes Fr Daly explaining to a media representative that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

That version of the incident was disputed by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry concluded the military had been attacked first.

In the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.

The then government leader, the leader, apologised in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "unjustified and unacceptable."

The police started to examine the incident.

A military veteran, known as the defendant, was prosecuted for killing.

Indictments were filed concerning the fatalities of the first individual, in his twenties, and 26-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill several people, other civilians, more people, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He testified the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were armed.

That claim was rejected in the official findings.

Information from the examination was unable to be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.

In the dock, the defendant was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He spoke for the opening instance in the hearing at a session in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the accusations were presented.

Family members of the victims on that day travelled from the city to Belfast Crown Court each day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the case would be painful.

"I visualize everything in my memory," the relative said, as we visited the primary sites discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were killed.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and put him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again each detail during the testimony.

"Despite enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."