🔗 Share this article

Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and momentous – occasions during three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of the tragic events are visible on the structures and embedded in people's minds.

A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear day in the city.

The march was a protest against the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following an extended period of conflict.

Troops from the specialized division fatally wounded 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

One image became especially prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, using a bloodied white handkerchief as he tried to shield a group carrying a youth, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel recorded considerable film on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly explaining to a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been fired upon initially.

During the peace process, the administration commissioned a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the report by the investigation said that overall, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had been armed.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Law enforcement commenced examine the events.

A military veteran, known as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

Indictments were filed regarding the killings of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was further implicated of attempting to murder several people, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision preserving the defendant's privacy, which his attorneys have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Information from the investigation was unable to be used directly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the defendant was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the first time in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Kin of the victims on that day travelled from Derry to the courthouse each day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they always knew that hearing the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see all details in my memory," John said, as we walked around the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I assisted with Michael and put him in the medical transport.

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

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