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Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and consequential – days in multiple decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are visible on the walls and seared in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear period in Derry.

The protest was opposing the policy of internment – detaining individuals without trial – which had been put in place after three years of violence.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly nationalist population.

One image became especially iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood fabric as he tried to shield a group moving a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records features the priest informing a media representative that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

This account of the incident was disputed by the initial investigation.

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

During the negotiation period, the ruling party set up another inquiry, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

That year, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

At that time head of state, the leader, apologised in the government chamber – stating deaths were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Authorities commenced investigate the matter.

A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for homicide.

Accusations were made concerning the deaths of one victim, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The defendant was additionally charged of attempting to murder multiple individuals, additional persons, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a legal order protecting the defendant's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is required because he is at threat.

He testified the investigation that he had only fired at people who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.

In court, the veteran was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the first time in court at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Relatives of the victims on that day journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

One relative, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the trial would be difficult.

"I remember all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the primary sites discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was killed, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

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

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

"But even with experiencing the process – it's still meaningful for me."