🔗 Share this article

January 30th, 1972 remains one of the most fatal – and significant – days during three decades of violence in this area.

In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and seared in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Londonderry.

The demonstration was a protest against the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented after three years of violence.

Troops from the specialized division shot dead multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, using a blood-stained fabric while attempting to defend a group transporting a youth, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts features the priest informing a media representative that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

That version of what happened was rejected by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal found the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the negotiation period, the administration set up a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."

The police started to examine the events.

A military veteran, known as the accused, was brought to trial for homicide.

Accusations were made regarding the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder several people, other civilians, more people, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the soldier's anonymity, which his lawyers have argued is necessary because he is at danger.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.

That claim was disputed in the official findings.

Information from the investigation would not be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.

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

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in December 2024, to answer "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Family members of the deceased on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to the courthouse every day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be painful.

"I visualize all details in my memory," John said, as we examined the key areas discussed in the case – from the street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and place him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again every moment during the testimony.

"Despite experiencing all that – it's still worthwhile for me."