🔗 Share this article

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

In the streets where events unfolded – the memories of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was organized on a chilly yet clear period in Londonderry.

The protest was a protest against the policy of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been put in place following an extended period of unrest.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a strongly nationalist community.

A particular photograph became notably prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to protect a group moving a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

The archive features Father Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

The narrative of what happened wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The initial inquiry found the Army had been attacked first.

Throughout the negotiation period, the administration commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

At that time government leader, the leader, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

The police began to look into the matter.

A military veteran, identified as the defendant, was charged for killing.

Indictments were filed concerning the killings of the first individual, 22, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was also accused of seeking to harm multiple individuals, other civilians, more people, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a court ruling preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the examination that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the final report.

Evidence from the inquiry was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the accused was screened from view behind a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Relatives of the victims on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Derry to the judicial building every day of the case.

John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they were aware that listening to the case would be difficult.

"I remember the events in my recollection," John said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the ambulance.

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

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