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January 30th, 1972 stands as one of the most deadly – and momentous – dates during thirty years of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the structures and etched in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Londonderry.

The march was a protest against the system of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been put in place after an extended period of conflict.

Military personnel from the specialized division fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a strongly Irish nationalist community.

One image became notably iconic.

Images showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood fabric while attempting to protect a group carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists captured much footage on the day.

Documented accounts 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 shooting.

That version of what happened was disputed by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry concluded the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the negotiation period, the ruling party established a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by Lord Saville said that generally, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – stating deaths were "improper and unacceptable."

Law enforcement commenced investigate the incident.

A military veteran, known as the defendant, was brought to trial for killing.

Accusations were made concerning the killings of the first individual, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

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

Exists a court ruling maintaining the soldier's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the final report.

Material from the examination was unable to be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was shielded from sight using a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in late 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were read.

Relatives of those who were killed on that day journeyed from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

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

"I visualize the events in my recollection," John said, as we visited the primary sites discussed in the proceedings – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were killed.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and put him in the ambulance.

"I relived each detail during the proceedings.

"Despite enduring the process – it's still worthwhile for me."