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Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as one of the deadliest – and consequential – occasions throughout three decades of conflict in this area.

Within the community of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.

A public gathering was held on a cold but bright period in Londonderry.

The protest was a protest against the policy of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place after an extended period of conflict.

Troops from the elite army unit killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist area.

One image became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, the priest, displaying a blood-stained cloth in his effort to shield a group transporting a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators documented extensive video on the day.

Historical records features the priest informing a media representative that troops "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

That version of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

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

Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the soldiers had fired first and that none of the individuals had been armed.

At that time government leader, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating killings were "without justification and unacceptable."

Law enforcement began to examine the events.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the defendant, was brought to trial for killing.

Indictments were filed concerning the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a court ruling protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have argued is required because he is at danger.

He stated to the investigation that he had solely shot at individuals who were possessing firearms.

That claim was dismissed in the official findings.

Evidence from the investigation could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the accused was hidden from public with a protective barrier.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in late 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the accusations were presented.

Kin of the deceased on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.

John Kelly, whose relative was died, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be emotional.

"I remember all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the case – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and place him in the medical transport.

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding experiencing all that – it's still valuable for me."