🔗 Share this article

January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and consequential – dates throughout thirty years of violence in Northern Ireland.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and seared in collective memory.

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

The march was a protest against the policy of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been established in response to multiple years of conflict.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist community.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a stained with blood fabric in his effort to defend a assembly moving a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records includes Father Daly informing a media representative that military personnel "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

The narrative of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the Army had been shot at first.

In the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had been armed.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Authorities commenced investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, known as the accused, was charged for murder.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, more people, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a legal order preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at people who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination was unable to be used straightforwardly as testimony in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was screened from view using a protective barrier.

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

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court every day of the proceedings.

One relative, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that attending the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see everything in my recollection," John said, as we examined the key areas discussed in the case – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and another victim were died.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and place him in the vehicle.

"I went through each detail during the evidence.

"Despite enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."