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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and momentous – dates throughout multiple decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where it happened – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the walls and etched in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a cold but bright afternoon in Londonderry.

The march was opposing the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without trial – which had been established after an extended period of conflict.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead multiple civilians in the district – which was, and still is, a strongly republican area.

One image became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a clergyman, the priest, displaying a stained with blood cloth while attempting to shield a assembly carrying a young man, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists captured extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains Father Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

This account of what happened was disputed by the initial investigation.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been fired upon initially.

During the peace process, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, after campaigning by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the individuals had presented danger.

The then government leader, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – stating deaths were "improper and inexcusable."

The police began to investigate the incident.

An ex-soldier, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.

He was charged over the killings of one victim, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was also accused of attempting to murder multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

There is a judicial decision protecting the defendant's privacy, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were possessing firearms.

The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.

Information from the examination would not be used immediately as evidence in the court case.

In court, the defendant was shielded from sight using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the opening instance in the hearing at a proceeding in December 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were read.

Kin of those who were killed on that day made the trip from Derry to the judicial building daily of the case.

A family member, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they understood that attending the case would be painful.

"I remember everything in my memory," he said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and William McKinney were killed.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and place him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again each detail during the proceedings.

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