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January 30th, 1972 remains among the most fatal – and consequential – dates during thirty years of unrest in the region.

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

A protest demonstration was conducted on a chilly yet clear afternoon in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the practice of internment – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been established after three years of violence.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist population.

A particular photograph became particularly iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief as he tried to protect a crowd carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel recorded considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes the priest telling a media representative that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the shooting.

The narrative of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

The initial inquiry found the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the administration commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had presented danger.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating fatalities were "without justification and unacceptable."

Authorities commenced examine the incident.

An ex-soldier, referred to as Soldier F, was charged for murder.

Indictments were filed over the deaths of James Wray, in his twenties, and 26-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a court ruling protecting the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have maintained is necessary because he is at threat.

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

The statement was disputed in the official findings.

Information from the examination would not be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the accused was hidden from public behind a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the first time in the proceedings at a session in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were read.

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

One relative, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that attending the trial would be emotional.

"I can see everything in my recollection," the relative said, as we examined the key areas mentioned in the trial – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where the individual and William McKinney were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I assisted with the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I relived each detail during the testimony.

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