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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and consequential – occasions during multiple decades of conflict in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the images of that fateful day are painted on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

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

The demonstration was challenging the policy of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been put in place after an extended period of unrest.

Troops from the specialized division killed 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist community.

A particular photograph became especially iconic.

Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, displaying a blood-stained cloth while attempting to shield a group carrying a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists documented extensive video on the day.

The archive contains Father Daly informing a journalist that soldiers "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the shooting.

This account of the incident wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the Army had been shot at first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that overall, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that not one of the victims had posed any threat.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying killings were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Law enforcement started to examine the events.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the accused, was charged for killing.

Indictments were filed over the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was further implicated of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, more people, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order preserving the defendant's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is essential because he is at danger.

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

That claim was rejected in the concluding document.

Information from the examination was unable to be used straightforwardly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the defendant was hidden from public using a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to reply "innocent" when the allegations were read.

Kin of the deceased on the incident travelled from Derry to the courthouse each day of the trial.

One relative, whose sibling was killed, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my recollection," the relative said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the case – from Rossville Street, where Michael was killed, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again each detail during the testimony.

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