January 30th, 1972 remains one of the deadliest – and consequential – occasions in three decades of violence in the region.
Within the community where it happened – the images of Bloody Sunday are painted on the walls and embedded in collective memory.
A civil rights march was organized on a wintry, sunny day in Londonderry.
The march was a protest against the system of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented following an extended period of unrest.
Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist community.
One image became particularly prominent.
Images showed a Catholic priest, the priest, using a bloodied white handkerchief in his effort to shield a group carrying a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.
News camera operators recorded much footage on the day.
The archive includes the priest explaining to a media representative that troops "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the gunfire.
This account of events was rejected by the original examination.
The Widgery Tribunal found the military had been fired upon initially.
Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.
During 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that on balance, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the casualties had posed any threat.
The then Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the government chamber – stating killings were "without justification and inexcusable."
Authorities started to examine the matter.
One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for homicide.
Indictments were filed concerning the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.
The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.
Exists a legal order protecting the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at danger.
He told the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.
That claim was disputed in the final report.
Material from the inquiry could not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.
During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight using a protective barrier.
He made statements for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a session in that month, to reply "not responsible" when the charges were read.
Family members of those who were killed on the incident journeyed from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the proceedings.
One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that listening to the case would be difficult.
"I can see all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the case – from the street, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where James Wray and the second person were died.
"It reminds me to my position that day.
"I assisted with the victim and place him in the ambulance.
"I experienced again each detail during the proceedings.
"Notwithstanding experiencing the process – it's still worthwhile for me."
A digital artist and writer passionate about blending technology with creative expression in everyday life.
