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January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – occasions throughout thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and etched in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was conducted on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was a protest against the policy of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented in response to three years of violence.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly nationalist population.

A particular photograph became especially iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a bloodied fabric in his effort to shield a crowd transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented much footage on the day.

Documented accounts features Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

That version of what happened was rejected by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal found the Army had been fired upon initially.

In the peace process, the administration commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had presented danger.

The then government leader, the leader, expressed regret in the Parliament – declaring killings were "without justification and unacceptable."

Authorities began to look into the events.

One former paratrooper, known as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.

The accused was also accused of attempting to murder multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a legal order protecting the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

He stated to the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were armed.

That claim was dismissed in the final report.

Evidence from the investigation could not be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

In court, the defendant was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Family members of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

A family member, whose relative was died, said they always knew that hearing the trial would be emotional.

"I can see the events in my memory," he said, as we visited the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were fatally wounded.

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

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

"I relived every moment during the testimony.

"But even with experiencing everything – it's still valuable for me."