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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and significant – occasions during multiple decades of unrest in the region.

Within the community of the incident – the memories of Bloody Sunday are visible on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

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

The protest was a protest against the system of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented after multiple years of violence.

Soldiers from the elite army unit shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist population.

One image became particularly iconic.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief as he tried to defend a assembly moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts includes Fr Daly explaining to a media representative that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

That version of events wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The first investigation concluded the Army had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, the administration commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that on balance, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that not one of the individuals had presented danger.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the House of Commons – saying killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Authorities started to investigate the events.

An ex-soldier, identified as the defendant, was charged for killing.

Accusations were made regarding the killings of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was also accused of trying to kill several people, additional persons, more people, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a legal order maintaining the veteran's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

He told the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was rejected in the official findings.

Information from the investigation would not be used directly as testimony in the court case.

In the dock, the veteran 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 answer "not responsible" when the charges were read.

Kin of the victims on the incident journeyed from the city to the courthouse each day of the case.

A family member, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the proceedings would be emotional.

"I remember everything in my memory," John said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the case – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and another victim were killed.

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

"I assisted with my brother and lay him in the ambulance.

"I relived the entire event during the testimony.

"But even with enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."