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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and consequential – days throughout thirty years of unrest in the region.

Within the community where it happened – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and seared in public consciousness.

A public gathering was conducted on a cold but bright afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of internment – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following multiple years of unrest.

Troops from the elite army unit fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly iconic.

Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, using a blood-stained white handkerchief while attempting to protect a group carrying a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists recorded much footage on the day.

Historical records includes Fr Daly explaining to a media representative that soldiers "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

The narrative of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the soldiers had been shot at first.

During the negotiation period, the administration commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

In 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, apologised in the House of Commons – saying deaths were "without justification and unacceptable."

Law enforcement started to examine the matter.

An ex-soldier, known as the accused, was charged for homicide.

Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of James Wray, 22, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at persons who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Information from the examination was unable to be used directly as evidence in the court case.

During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.

He spoke for the opening instance in court at a hearing in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Relatives of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from the city to Belfast Crown Court daily of the trial.

John Kelly, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that listening to the case would be emotional.

"I can see all details in my recollection," the relative said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the trial – from the street, where his brother was killed, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where one victim and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I assisted with my brother and lay him in the vehicle.

"I relived the entire event during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still meaningful for me."