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January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most deadly – and momentous – occasions in three decades of violence in this area.

Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of that fateful day are displayed on the structures and embedded in people's minds.

A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright day in Derry.

The demonstration was challenging the policy of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented after multiple years of conflict.

Military personnel from the specialized division killed 13 people in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist area.

One image became notably iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a bloodied fabric as he tried to shield a group transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly informing a media representative that soldiers "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

That version of what happened was disputed by the original examination.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had presented danger.

At that time head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the Parliament – declaring deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Law enforcement began to examine the matter.

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

Indictments were filed concerning the deaths of James Wray, twenty-two, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

There is a judicial decision preserving the veteran's identity protection, which his attorneys have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

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

That claim was rejected in the final report.

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

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

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in late 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.

Family members of the victims on that day travelled from Derry to the courthouse daily of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was died, said they were aware that listening to the trial would be painful.

"I remember the events in my mind's eye," he said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the case – from Rossville Street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were killed.

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

"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again the entire event during the testimony.

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