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January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most fatal – and consequential – occasions during thirty years of violence in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the memories of that fateful day are painted on the walls and seared in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was held on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.

The protest was a protest against the practice of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without trial – which had been put in place after an extended period of violence.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.

A particular photograph became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, the priest, using a blood-stained fabric in his effort to defend a assembly moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly informing a media representative that troops "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

This account of events was disputed by the first inquiry.

The first investigation concluded the Army had been shot at first.

During the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up another inquiry, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had been armed.

At that time government leader, the leader, issued an apology in the government chamber – stating killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Law enforcement started to examine the incident.

A military veteran, identified as the accused, was charged for killing.

He was charged over the deaths of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, more people, another person, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a court ruling protecting the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have argued is essential because he is at danger.

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

This assertion was dismissed in the final report.

Evidence from the examination could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the defendant was hidden from public using a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a session in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.

Family members of the victims on that day journeyed from Londonderry to the judicial building every day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose sibling was died, said they understood that listening to the trial would be difficult.

"I can see everything in my mind's eye," he said, as we walked around the primary sites referenced in the trial – from the location, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the courtyard, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through each detail during the proceedings.

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