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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and momentous – days during thirty years of unrest in this area.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the walls and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was held on a cold but bright period in Derry.

The protest was opposing the system of detention without trial – detaining individuals without due process – which had been put in place after an extended period of unrest.

Troops from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, the priest, waving a blood-stained cloth as he tried to defend a group transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly informing a media representative that military personnel "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

That version of events was rejected by the initial investigation.

The first investigation found the military had been shot at first.

During the peace process, the administration established another inquiry, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the individuals had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, apologised in the government chamber – declaring killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Law enforcement commenced investigate the incident.

One former paratrooper, known as the defendant, was charged for killing.

He was charged regarding the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He told the examination that he had only fired at individuals who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.

Material from the investigation would not be used directly as evidence in the court case.

In the dock, the accused was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.

He made statements for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.

Kin of those who were killed on that day travelled from Derry to the judicial building daily of the trial.

John Kelly, whose relative was died, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see the events in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the main locations referenced in the trial – from the location, where the victim was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.

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

"I assisted with Michael and put him in the medical transport.

"I went through every moment during the testimony.

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