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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and momentous – occasions during three decades of violence in the region.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of that fateful day are displayed on the structures and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny day in Derry.

The protest was a protest against the policy of detention without trial – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of conflict.

Soldiers from the specialized division fatally wounded multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

A specific visual became particularly iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a blood-stained cloth in his effort to shield a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

News camera operators recorded much footage on the day.

The archive features Father Daly telling a journalist that military personnel "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

The narrative of what happened was rejected by the initial investigation.

The first investigation found the military had been shot at first.

In the negotiation period, the ruling party commissioned another inquiry, following pressure by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

That year, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had posed any threat.

The then Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – saying killings were "improper and inexcusable."

Authorities started to investigate the events.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was charged for murder.

Accusations were made regarding the deaths of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, Joseph Friel, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a court ruling preserving the defendant's anonymity, which his legal team have claimed is essential because he is at danger.

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

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Evidence from the investigation would not be used immediately as testimony in the court case.

In court, the accused was screened from view with a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in court at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.

Family members of the victims on that day made the trip from Derry to the judicial building every day of the case.

One relative, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that hearing the proceedings would be difficult.

"I can see the events in my memory," he said, as we examined the main locations mentioned in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where one victim and the second person were died.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

"I assisted with Michael and put him in the vehicle.

"I relived every moment during the proceedings.

"Despite enduring everything – it's still worthwhile for me."