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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and consequential – days throughout multiple decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

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

A public gathering was organized on a chilly yet clear period in Derry.

The demonstration was challenging the policy of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established following multiple years of unrest.

Troops from the elite army unit shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly republican area.

One image became particularly iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, using a stained with blood cloth while attempting to protect a assembly transporting a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains Father Daly telling a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

The narrative of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

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

In the peace process, the administration set up a new investigation, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that none of the casualties had posed any threat.

The then government leader, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring deaths were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Law enforcement commenced examine the matter.

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

Accusations were made regarding the fatalities of one victim, 22, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

Remains a legal order preserving the veteran's anonymity, which his lawyers have maintained is essential because he is at threat.

He testified the examination that he had solely shot at people who were carrying weapons.

That claim was dismissed in the concluding document.

Information from the investigation was unable to be used directly as proof in the legal proceedings.

In court, the veteran was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the charges were put to him.

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

A family member, whose brother Michael was died, said they understood that listening to the proceedings would be emotional.

"I can see the events in my mind's eye," John said, as we walked around the key areas discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding enduring everything – it's still meaningful for me."