🔗 Share this article

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and consequential – dates in three decades of violence in this area.

In the streets where events unfolded – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny day in Derry.

The protest was opposing the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place after three years of conflict.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly republican community.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Images showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained cloth as he tried to defend a assembly moving a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts includes Father Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry concluded the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

In the negotiation period, the administration established another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

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

The then head of state, David Cameron, expressed regret in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

The police commenced examine the incident.

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

Accusations were made over the killings of the first individual, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.

He stated to the investigation that he had solely shot at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was dismissed in the final report.

Material from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the first time in the proceedings at a session in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.

Family members of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday journeyed from Londonderry to the judicial building each day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.

"I can see everything in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we visited the main locations discussed in the case – from Rossville Street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

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

"I relived each detail during the testimony.

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