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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and significant – dates throughout multiple decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and embedded in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright period in Londonderry.

The protest was opposing the system of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established in response to an extended period of unrest.

Soldiers from the elite army unit shot dead multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist area.

One image became particularly prominent.

Pictures showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a bloodied cloth while attempting to shield a group transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly telling a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the shooting.

That version of events was disputed by the original examination.

The Widgery Tribunal determined the Army had been attacked first.

In the peace process, the administration set up another inquiry, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that overall, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had posed any threat.

The contemporary government leader, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the government chamber – saying killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

The police began to examine the incident.

A military veteran, identified as the accused, was charged for homicide.

Indictments were filed over the deaths of the first individual, 22, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a court ruling preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his attorneys have argued is essential because he is at danger.

He stated to the examination that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.

The statement was disputed in the final report.

Material from the investigation would not be used straightforwardly as proof in the legal proceedings.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight with a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the allegations were presented.

Family members of those who were killed on that day travelled from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the case.

One relative, whose brother Michael was died, said they always knew that listening to the trial would be painful.

"I visualize the events in my memory," he said, as we visited the primary sites discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were killed.

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

"I helped to carry the victim and place him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still meaningful for me."