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January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the most fatal – and significant – days in multiple decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and etched in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was organized on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The protest was opposing the system of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been established after an extended period of violence.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

A specific visual became particularly iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to shield a group transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators recorded considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts includes the priest explaining to a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

That version of the incident was disputed by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry found the Army had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party established another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that none of the victims had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Law enforcement began to look into the matter.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

Indictments were filed over the killings of one victim, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of attempting to murder several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unknown person.

Remains a judicial decision protecting the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

Material from the inquiry would not be used immediately as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight using 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 presented.

Family members of the victims on Bloody Sunday travelled from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the case.

One relative, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they understood that attending the case would be painful.

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where his brother was killed, to the nearby the area, where James Wray and another victim were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I assisted with the victim and put him in the ambulance.

"I went through each detail during the testimony.

"But even with enduring the process – it's still meaningful for me."