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January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – days during thirty years of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Within the community where events unfolded – the images of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and etched in collective memory.

A civil rights march was held on a wintry, sunny day in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented following multiple years of conflict.

Soldiers from the specialized division shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and remains, a predominantly republican population.

One image became notably memorable.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, using a blood-stained fabric while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators documented extensive video on the day.

Historical records features Father Daly telling a reporter that troops "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.

That version of events was disputed by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the Army had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the administration set up a fresh examination, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had fired first and that not one of the individuals had posed any threat.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the government chamber – saying deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

Authorities commenced investigate the matter.

One former paratrooper, identified as the defendant, was charged for murder.

He was charged over the deaths of James Wray, 22, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The accused was further implicated of seeking to harm several people, other civilians, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the veteran's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

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

This assertion was dismissed in the final report.

Information from the investigation could not be used immediately as proof in the court case.

In the dock, the defendant was screened from view using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the first time in the hearing at a session in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were read.

Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday travelled from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they always knew that attending the case would be painful.

"I can see all details in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and another victim were died.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the vehicle.

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

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