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January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most deadly – and momentous – dates in three decades of violence in this area.

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

A civil rights march was held on a wintry, sunny afternoon in the city.

The march was a protest against the policy of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place following an extended period of violence.

Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became notably memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, the priest, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to shield a assembly carrying a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured much footage on the day.

Historical records includes the priest informing a journalist that soldiers "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

This account of what happened was disputed by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry found the Army had been shot at first.

In the resolution efforts, the administration set up a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the report by the investigation said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."

Law enforcement started to investigate the incident.

One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was prosecuted for homicide.

Accusations were made regarding the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of attempting to murder several people, Joseph Friel, more people, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the defendant's privacy, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.

He testified the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were possessing firearms.

The statement was dismissed in the final report.

Evidence from the examination could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was shielded from sight with a protective barrier.

He spoke for the first time in court at a session in late 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Relatives of the deceased on that day made the trip from the city to the courthouse daily of the case.

John Kelly, whose relative was died, said they were aware that attending the trial would be emotional.

"I remember everything in my memory," John said, as we walked around the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were died.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through each detail during the evidence.

"But even with having to go through the process – it's still valuable for me."