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January 30th, 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and significant – occasions throughout three decades of conflict in the region.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the images of the tragic events are visible on the walls and embedded in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright period in Londonderry.

The protest was a protest against the system of imprisonment without charges – holding suspects without trial – which had been established following three years of conflict.

Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist community.

A specific visual became especially iconic.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood cloth while attempting to protect a crowd moving a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Journalists recorded extensive video on the day.

The archive contains Father Daly explaining to a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the shooting.

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

The Widgery Tribunal determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the negotiation period, the administration commissioned a new investigation, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by the investigation said that on balance, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that zero among the victims had presented danger.

The contemporary head of state, David Cameron, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "improper and unjustifiable."

The police commenced investigate the events.

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

Indictments were filed concerning the killings of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a judicial decision maintaining the veteran's privacy, which his lawyers have maintained is required because he is at risk of attack.

He told the investigation that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.

That claim was rejected in the final report.

Material from the investigation would not be used directly as evidence in the court case.

In court, the veteran was hidden from public using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the opening instance in the hearing at a session in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the accusations were read.

Kin of the victims on that day made the trip from the city to the courthouse every day of the case.

A family member, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that hearing the proceedings would be difficult.

"I visualize everything in my memory," John said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the case – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were killed.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and put him in the vehicle.

"I went through every moment during the proceedings.

"But even with enduring everything – it's still meaningful for me."