How this Trial of a Former Soldier Over the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Not Guilty Verdict

January 30th, 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and consequential – occasions in thirty years of conflict in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was organized on a chilly yet clear day in Derry.

The protest was a protest against the policy of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been put in place following three years of violence.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist population.

A specific visual became notably iconic.

Pictures showed a religious figure, the priest, using a bloodied fabric while attempting to defend a group transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that soldiers "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

That version of what happened was disputed by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry found the military had been fired upon initially.

During the peace process, Tony Blair's government established a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

That year, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the government chamber – declaring fatalities were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Authorities commenced look into the matter.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

Indictments were filed over the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm several people, additional persons, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is necessary because he is at threat.

He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were armed.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the investigation would not be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was shielded from sight with a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the hearing at a session in that month, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Kin of the deceased on that day made the trip from Londonderry to the courthouse each day of the case.

One relative, whose relative was killed, said they understood that attending the trial would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where his brother was killed, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and William McKinney were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and place him in the vehicle.

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding enduring all that – it's still meaningful for me."