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January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the most deadly – and consequential – dates in three decades of unrest in the region.

In the streets where it happened – the legacy of the tragic events are visible on the walls and embedded in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was held on a wintry, sunny day in Derry.

The march was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – holding suspects without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following multiple years of conflict.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, waving a blood-stained cloth as he tried to defend a group moving a youth, the injured teenager, who had been killed.

Journalists documented considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts features Father Daly explaining to a journalist that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the shooting.

This account of what happened was rejected by the first inquiry.

The first investigation concluded the military had been attacked first.

In the resolution efforts, the administration established a new investigation, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that on balance, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the individuals had posed any threat.

The then Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologised in the government chamber – stating killings were "improper and unacceptable."

Authorities commenced investigate the incident.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.

Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old another victim.

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

There is a legal order protecting the veteran's identity protection, which his attorneys have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

He stated to the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were armed.

The statement was rejected in the official findings.

Material from the inquiry was unable to be used directly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was screened from view behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the opening instance in the hearing at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Relatives of those who were killed on the incident travelled from Londonderry to Belfast Crown Court every day of the case.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was died, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see everything in my memory," he said, as we walked around the primary sites mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where one victim and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I experienced again every moment during the testimony.

"Despite having to go through everything – it's still worthwhile for me."