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January 30th, 1972 remains one of the most deadly – and significant – occasions during thirty years of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are painted on the structures and etched in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear period in the city.

The protest was challenging the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place in response to an extended period of conflict.

Troops from the specialized division killed 13 people in the district – which was, and still is, a strongly republican area.

A particular photograph became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, using a bloodied fabric while attempting to shield a assembly transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel captured much footage on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly informing a journalist that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

The narrative of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the administration set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had posed any threat.

The contemporary government leader, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."

Authorities started to investigate the incident.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for murder.

Indictments were filed over the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was also accused of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unknown person.

There is a court ruling preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his lawyers have argued is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the investigation that he had only fired at people who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the inquiry was unable to be used directly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.

Relatives of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from the city to the courthouse daily of the trial.

One relative, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they understood that attending the case would be difficult.

"I can see all details in my memory," he said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the case – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again every moment during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still worthwhile for me."