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Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and momentous – dates in three decades of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area where events unfolded – the memories of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and etched in collective memory.

A civil rights march was organized on a cold but bright afternoon in Derry.

The march was a protest against the policy of internment – detaining individuals without trial – which had been put in place after three years of violence.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment fatally wounded 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and still is, a predominantly nationalist area.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Images showed a religious figure, the priest, waving a blood-stained cloth while attempting to protect a crowd carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented much footage on the day.

Historical records features Father Daly telling a reporter that troops "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no reason for the shooting.

This account of events wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the soldiers had been fired upon initially.

Throughout the resolution efforts, the ruling party commissioned a fresh examination, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the conclusion by Lord Saville said that generally, the military personnel had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."

The police started to look into the matter.

A military veteran, known as the accused, was prosecuted for killing.

Indictments were filed concerning the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The accused was further implicated of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a legal order preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

He stated to the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Evidence from the investigation would not be used directly as proof in the legal proceedings.

During the trial, the accused was screened from view with a blue curtain.

He spoke for the first time in the hearing at a hearing in December 2024, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were presented.

Relatives of those who were killed on that day travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose sibling was died, said they understood that hearing the case would be painful.

"I remember the events in my memory," the relative said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where James Wray and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I helped to carry my brother and put him in the medical transport.

"I relived each detail during the testimony.

"But even with having to go through everything – it's still meaningful for me."