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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the deadliest – and consequential – days during multiple decades of violence in the region.

In the streets where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny day in Londonderry.

The march was a protest against the system of internment – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of conflict.

Military personnel from the specialized division shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist population.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a bloodied cloth as he tried to protect a group transporting a teenager, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists recorded considerable film on the day.

The archive includes the priest explaining to a journalist that military personnel "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

This account of the incident was rejected by the initial investigation.

The first investigation found the Army had been attacked first.

During the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the conclusion by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had fired first and that zero among the individuals had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – declaring fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."

Authorities commenced examine the events.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the accused, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the fatalities of the first individual, in his twenties, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was further implicated of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a legal order preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was disputed in the official findings.

Information from the investigation could not be used straightforwardly as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the accused was shielded from sight using a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a proceeding in December 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the accusations were read.

Family members of those who were killed on that day journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose sibling was killed, said they always knew that hearing the trial would be painful.

"I can see everything in my memory," John said, as we examined the key areas mentioned in the trial – from the street, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the courtyard, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and put him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again each detail during the evidence.

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