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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and consequential – occasions during three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and seared in public consciousness.

A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Londonderry.

The demonstration was a protest against the system of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been established in response to an extended period of violence.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

One image became especially prominent.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, the priest, displaying a bloodied white handkerchief while attempting to protect a group transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

News camera operators documented much footage on the day.

Documented accounts features the priest explaining to a reporter that soldiers "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the discharge of weapons.

This account of what happened was rejected by the original examination.

The first investigation found the military had been fired upon initially.

During the peace process, Tony Blair's government established a fresh examination, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that none of the victims had been armed.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

Authorities began to investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, known as the defendant, was charged for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Remains a legal order protecting the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is essential because he is at danger.

He told the examination that he had solely shot at individuals who were armed.

This assertion was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the inquiry would not be used immediately as evidence in the criminal process.

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

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the accusations were read.

Kin of the deceased on the incident journeyed from Derry to Belfast Crown Court daily of the case.

A family member, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the proceedings would be difficult.

"I visualize the events in my memory," the relative said, as we visited the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where James Wray and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I assisted with Michael and place him in the vehicle.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"Despite experiencing everything – it's still meaningful for me."