🔗 Share this article

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and consequential – dates throughout multiple decades of conflict in the region.

Throughout the area where it happened – the images of Bloody Sunday are displayed on the structures and etched in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a cold but bright afternoon in Derry.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been put in place following three years of conflict.

Troops from the elite army unit killed 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly republican area.

One image became particularly prominent.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to defend a assembly transporting a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records includes Fr Daly telling a media representative that troops "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

This account of the incident was rejected by the original examination.

The first investigation concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that not one of the victims had posed any threat.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – saying deaths were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Law enforcement started to examine the events.

A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for homicide.

Indictments were filed over the killings of one victim, 22, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was additionally charged of seeking to harm multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the soldier's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He told the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.

The statement was rejected in the concluding document.

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

During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the first time in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to reply "innocent" when the accusations were read.

Relatives of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said they understood that hearing the case would be emotional.

"I visualize all details in my memory," the relative said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the case – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and place him in the vehicle.

"I went through each detail during the testimony.

"Despite enduring all that – it's still meaningful for me."