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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and consequential – occasions throughout multiple decades of conflict in the region.

In the streets where it happened – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the structures and etched in collective memory.

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

The protest was a protest against the policy of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been implemented after multiple years of conflict.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly republican population.

A specific visual became notably prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained fabric in his effort to shield a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists documented extensive video on the day.

Historical records includes Fr Daly informing a reporter that soldiers "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the shooting.

The narrative of events was rejected by the initial investigation.

The first investigation concluded the military had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, the administration established a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by Lord Saville said that overall, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that zero among the individuals had posed any threat.

The contemporary Prime Minister, David Cameron, expressed regret in the Parliament – declaring killings were "improper and unacceptable."

Authorities started to look into the incident.

One former paratrooper, known as the accused, was brought to trial for homicide.

He was charged regarding the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder several people, additional persons, more people, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a court ruling protecting the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at threat.

He testified the examination that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.

That claim was rejected in the official findings.

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

During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight with a privacy screen.

He spoke for the first time in the hearing at a session in late 2024, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were read.

Relatives of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the case.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that listening to the trial would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my recollection," he said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and lay him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again each detail during the testimony.

"Despite having to go through the process – it's still worthwhile for me."