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January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and momentous – occasions during three decades of violence in this area.

Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

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

The protest was opposing the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without trial – which had been put in place after multiple years of violence.

Soldiers from the specialized division killed 13 people in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly republican community.

A particular photograph became particularly iconic.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, using a bloodied fabric in his effort to shield a group carrying a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented extensive video on the day.

The archive includes Father Daly telling a media representative that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the shooting.

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

The initial inquiry determined the military had been attacked first.

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had posed any threat.

At that time Prime Minister, David Cameron, apologised in the House of Commons – stating killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Authorities began to look into the matter.

An ex-soldier, known as the accused, was prosecuted for homicide.

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

The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, an additional individual, and an unidentified individual.

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

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at people who were carrying weapons.

The statement was disputed in the concluding document.

Information from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

During the trial, the veteran was shielded from sight with a blue curtain.

He made statements for the initial occasion in the hearing at a proceeding in late 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Relatives of the deceased on the incident made the trip from the city to the courthouse daily of the case.

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

"I visualize everything in my mind's eye," John said, as we examined the primary sites discussed in the trial – from the street, where his brother was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to my position that day.

"I participated in moving my brother and place him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again the entire event during the testimony.

"Despite enduring all that – it's still valuable for me."