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January 30th, 1972 remains one of the most fatal – and consequential – days throughout three decades of unrest in the region.

Within the community where events unfolded – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the structures and embedded in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was held on a chilly yet clear afternoon in Derry.

The march was opposing the practice of internment – detaining individuals without trial – which had been established in response to three years of conflict.

Military personnel from the elite army unit shot dead 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a predominantly nationalist area.

A particular photograph became notably prominent.

Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, using a bloodied fabric in his effort to shield a crowd carrying a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists documented extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts features the priest informing a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the shooting.

The narrative of what happened wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The initial inquiry found the Army had been attacked first.

During the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government set up a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

During 2010, the findings by the investigation said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had been armed.

At that time government leader, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the government chamber – declaring deaths were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Authorities started to look into the events.

An ex-soldier, identified as the defendant, was brought to trial for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the fatalities of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.

The accused was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unknown person.

Exists a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's anonymity, which his legal team have argued is necessary because he is at danger.

He stated to the investigation that he had only fired at individuals who were possessing firearms.

The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination would not be used immediately as evidence in the court case.

During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public using a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to answer "not guilty" when the charges were put to him.

Family members of those who were killed on that day travelled from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that listening to the proceedings would be emotional.

"I remember all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the primary sites discussed in the trial – from the street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the nearby the area, where one victim and the second person were fatally wounded.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and place him in the vehicle.

"I relived the entire event during the testimony.

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