🔗 Share this article

January 30th, 1972 remains among the most deadly – and momentous – days throughout multiple decades of conflict in the region.

Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of that fateful day are painted on the buildings and embedded in public consciousness.

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

The demonstration was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without due process – which had been established following an extended period of unrest.

Troops from the elite army unit shot dead 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly nationalist community.

One image became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to shield a group moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel recorded considerable film on the day.

Historical records contains the priest explaining to a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

This account of events was disputed by the original examination.

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

In the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had been armed.

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

Authorities commenced examine the matter.

A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was charged for killing.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of James Wray, 22, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

Soldier F was additionally charged of attempting to murder several people, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

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

He testified the investigation that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Information from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

In court, the accused was screened from view using a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the first time in court at a hearing in that month, to answer "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday travelled from Derry to the judicial building daily of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be emotional.

"I remember the events in my memory," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and place him in the medical transport.

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

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