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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as arguably the most deadly – and significant – dates during thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and etched in collective memory.

A protest demonstration was conducted on a wintry, sunny day in the city.

The march was challenging the system of internment – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented after an extended period of unrest.

Troops from the specialized division shot dead 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly republican area.

A specific visual became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood fabric as he tried to defend a group moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts includes Fr Daly informing a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the original examination.

The initial inquiry determined the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the peace process, the ruling party established a fresh examination, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

That year, the report by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that zero among the casualties had been armed.

The then Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – saying deaths were "unjustified and inexcusable."

Authorities began to investigate the events.

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

Indictments were filed over the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties the second individual.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

There is a court ruling preserving the veteran's identity protection, which his legal team have maintained is essential because he is at danger.

He told the investigation that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were armed.

That claim was rejected in the final report.

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

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

He spoke for the first time in the hearing at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "innocent" when the allegations were presented.

Kin of the deceased on the incident made the trip from Derry to the courthouse daily of the case.

A family member, whose brother Michael was killed, said they understood that hearing the case would be difficult.

"I remember the events in my memory," he said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the nearby the courtyard, where the individual and another victim were fatally wounded.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with Michael and lay him in the medical transport.

"I went through the entire event during the testimony.

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