🔗 Share this article

January 30th, 1972 stands as one of the most deadly – and consequential – occasions during thirty years of conflict in the region.

Within the community of the incident – the legacy of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and seared in people's minds.

A public gathering was organized on a cold but bright day in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the system of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented after multiple years of violence.

Soldiers from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist area.

A specific visual became especially iconic.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood fabric while attempting to protect a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented much footage on the day.

Historical records includes the priest telling a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

That version of events wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been shot at first.

In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established a new investigation, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had been armed.

The then Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Authorities commenced examine the incident.

A military veteran, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for homicide.

Accusations were made regarding the killings of one victim, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was further implicated of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a court ruling protecting the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the examination was unable to be used directly as proof in the criminal process.

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

He spoke for the initial occasion in court at a proceeding in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the allegations were read.

Relatives of the deceased on that day made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the case.

John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be difficult.

"I visualize the events in my memory," John said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where James Wray and another victim were killed.

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

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

"I relived the entire event during the proceedings.

"Despite experiencing the process – it's still worthwhile for me."