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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and momentous – occasions throughout thirty years of unrest in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are visible on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Londonderry.

The protest was challenging the system of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of violence.

Troops from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist community.

A specific visual became especially iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to defend a group transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records features the priest telling a reporter that soldiers "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the shooting.

This account of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had fired first and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, apologised in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Law enforcement began to examine the matter.

A military veteran, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

Indictments were filed over the fatalities of one victim, 22, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, additional persons, more people, another person, and an unknown person.

There is a legal order preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He stated to the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was rejected in the official findings.

Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the accused was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the charges were put to him.

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to the judicial building each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose relative was died, said they always knew that attending the trial would be painful.

"I remember all details in my recollection," he said, as we examined the key areas mentioned in the case – from the location, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the vehicle.

"I went through each detail during the testimony.

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