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January 30th, 1972 remains among the deadliest – and momentous – days throughout thirty years of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and etched in collective memory.

A public gathering was conducted on a chilly yet clear day in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been established after an extended period of violence.

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

A specific visual became notably prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to defend a group moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists captured extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains the priest explaining to a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

That version of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the peace process, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had presented danger.

The contemporary head of state, the leader, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating killings were "improper and inexcusable."

Authorities commenced examine the matter.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the accused, was brought to trial for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the deaths of one victim, 22, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was further implicated of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision preserving the veteran's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at risk of attack.

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

That claim was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the investigation could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public with a blue curtain.

He spoke for the first time in court at a proceeding in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Relatives of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from the street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and put him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again the entire event during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding enduring all that – it's still worthwhile for me."