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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and significant – dates during three decades of conflict in the region.

Within the community where it happened – the images of that fateful day are painted on the walls and seared in people's minds.

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

The demonstration was challenging the policy of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented after an extended period of violence.

Soldiers from the specialized division fatally wounded 13 people in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly republican community.

A specific visual became particularly prominent.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a stained with blood cloth in his effort to protect a crowd moving a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

The archive includes Fr Daly informing a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

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

The first investigation concluded the soldiers had been attacked first.

In the peace process, the administration commissioned another inquiry, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the paratroopers had fired first and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, David Cameron, expressed regret in the government chamber – declaring killings were "improper and unacceptable."

Authorities began to look into the incident.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the defendant, was brought to trial for murder.

He was charged regarding the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The accused was also accused of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a judicial decision preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were possessing firearms.

That claim was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the examination could not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.

During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight with a privacy screen.

He made statements for the first time in the hearing at a proceeding in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the charges were presented.

Family members of the deceased on that day made the trip from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the case.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that attending the trial would be difficult.

"I remember the events in my recollection," he said, as we visited the primary sites mentioned in the trial – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where James Wray and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

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

"I experienced again every moment during the proceedings.

"Despite having to go through everything – it's still worthwhile for me."