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Sunday 30 January 1972 remains one of the most fatal – and consequential – days during three decades of conflict in the region.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and seared in public consciousness.

A public gathering was held on a chilly yet clear period in Derry.

The demonstration was opposing the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented after three years of conflict.

Soldiers from the elite army unit shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly republican community.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood cloth as he tried to defend a crowd carrying a youth, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Journalists documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes the priest explaining to a reporter that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

This account of what happened wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The first investigation found the soldiers had been shot at first.

Throughout the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

The then government leader, David Cameron, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Authorities began to examine the matter.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the defendant, was brought to trial for homicide.

Indictments were filed concerning the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a court ruling maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was disputed in the official findings.

Material from the investigation was unable to be used directly as evidence in the court case.

During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the first time in the proceedings at a proceeding in December 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.

Relatives of the victims on that day made the trip from the city to the courthouse daily of the case.

John Kelly, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they understood that attending the proceedings would be difficult.

"I can see all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the case – from Rossville Street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were killed.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

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

"I experienced again every moment during the proceedings.

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