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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and momentous – dates throughout multiple decades of violence in the region.

Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of that fateful day are visible on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was opposing the practice of detention without trial – holding suspects without due process – which had been established in response to three years of violence.

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly republican community.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief as he tried to protect a group carrying a young man, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented much footage on the day.

Documented accounts includes Father Daly explaining to a journalist that troops "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

This account of the incident was disputed by the original examination.

The initial inquiry determined the military had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, the ruling party established another inquiry, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, apologised in the government chamber – declaring fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."

The police commenced investigate the incident.

A military veteran, referred to as the defendant, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made over the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was additionally charged of seeking to harm several people, other civilians, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a legal order preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

He told the investigation that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.

That claim was rejected in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination would not be used directly as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the defendant was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.

He made statements for the initial occasion in court at a hearing in late 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.

Relatives of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to the judicial building daily of the case.

One relative, whose relative was died, said they were aware that attending the trial would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," he said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I relived each detail during the evidence.

"But even with enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."