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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and consequential – dates in multiple decades of violence in the region.

In the streets where it happened – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear day in Londonderry.

The march was a protest against the practice of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented after three years of violence.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist community.

A particular photograph became notably memorable.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, using a bloodied fabric as he tried to defend a assembly carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains the priest telling a journalist that troops "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

That version of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The first investigation found the military had been fired upon initially.

In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the report by the inquiry said that overall, the military personnel had fired first and that zero among the individuals had presented danger.

The contemporary head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – stating killings were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Law enforcement began to examine the incident.

An ex-soldier, known as the defendant, was charged for murder.

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

The accused was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Exists a legal order maintaining the veteran's anonymity, which his attorneys have argued is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were possessing firearms.

That claim was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the examination was unable to be used straightforwardly as proof in the court case.

In the dock, the accused was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a session in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.

Relatives of the victims on the incident travelled from the city to the courthouse daily of the case.

A family member, whose relative was killed, said they understood that hearing the trial would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my recollection," he said, as we visited the main locations discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where his brother was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I relived each detail during the evidence.

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