🔗 Share this article

Sunday 30 January 1972 remains among the deadliest – and significant – days during three decades of violence in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the images of the tragic events are painted on the structures and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was held on a wintry, sunny period in the city.

The march was a protest against the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented after an extended period of conflict.

Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist population.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Father Daly, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief while attempting to shield a group carrying a youth, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records features Father Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

That version of what happened was rejected by the first inquiry.

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

During the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that on balance, the military personnel had fired first and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

At that time Prime Minister, David Cameron, expressed regret in the Parliament – declaring deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Authorities started to examine the matter.

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

Indictments were filed concerning the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's anonymity, which his legal team have maintained is required because he is at danger.

He testified the investigation that he had only fired at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Material from the examination would not be used directly as proof in the criminal process.

During the trial, the defendant was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Kin of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.

John Kelly, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they were aware that listening to the proceedings would be painful.

"I remember the events in my memory," he said, as we walked around the primary sites mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and the second person were killed.

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

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

"I experienced again each detail during the testimony.

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