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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as among the most deadly – and momentous – occasions during multiple decades of conflict in this area.

Throughout the area of the incident – the images of that fateful day are visible on the walls and embedded in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was organized on a cold but bright day in Derry.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been established in response to an extended period of conflict.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead thirteen individuals in the district – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist population.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Images showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood cloth as he tried to defend a crowd transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Journalists recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains the priest informing a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

That version of what happened wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

During the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that on balance, the military personnel had fired first and that not one of the casualties had been armed.

At that time Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the government chamber – stating deaths were "improper and unjustifiable."

Law enforcement commenced examine the events.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder.

Indictments were filed over the killings of the first individual, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The accused was additionally charged of seeking to harm multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unknown person.

There is a judicial decision protecting the soldier's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

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

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Material from the examination would not be used directly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the veteran was hidden from public behind a blue curtain.

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

Family members of the deceased on the incident travelled from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the trial.

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

"I visualize the events in my mind's eye," he said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the trial – from the street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and another victim were died.

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

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

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

"But even with experiencing all that – it's still worthwhile for me."