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January 30th, 1972 stands as one of the most fatal – and momentous – occasions in three decades of conflict in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the memories of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright day in Londonderry.

The march was opposing the practice of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been put in place after an extended period of conflict.

Military personnel from the elite army unit shot dead multiple civilians in the district – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist community.

A particular photograph became especially prominent.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood cloth as he tried to defend a group moving a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records features the priest informing a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the shooting.

That version of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the Army had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had fired first and that not one of the individuals had been armed.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."

Authorities began to look into the incident.

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

He was charged concerning the deaths of one victim, in his twenties, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order protecting the veteran's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were possessing firearms.

That claim was rejected in the final report.

Material from the inquiry would not be used immediately as evidence in the court case.

In court, the accused was screened from view using a privacy screen.

He spoke for the first time in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.

Family members of the victims on that day journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that attending the proceedings would be difficult.

"I remember the events in my recollection," the relative said, as we examined the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was killed, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and place him in the vehicle.

"I relived every moment during the evidence.

"Despite enduring everything – it's still meaningful for me."