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Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and momentous – days during thirty years of violence in this area.

Within the community where events unfolded – the images of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny day in the city.

The protest was challenging the practice of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without due process – which had been put in place after an extended period of violence.

Troops from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican population.

A specific visual became notably iconic.

Images showed a clergyman, Father Daly, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to protect a group moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes the priest explaining to a journalist that troops "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

That version of the incident wasn't accepted by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the military had been shot at first.

Throughout the peace process, the administration set up a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had fired first and that not one of the victims had been armed.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the Parliament – saying killings were "without justification and inexcusable."

Law enforcement commenced look into the incident.

A military veteran, identified as Soldier F, was charged for killing.

He was charged regarding the fatalities of the first individual, 22, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was further implicated of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, more people, another person, and an unknown person.

Exists a legal order maintaining the defendant's privacy, which his lawyers have argued is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the examination that he had solely shot at individuals who were armed.

The statement was dismissed in the concluding document.

Material from the investigation could not be used directly as testimony in the criminal process.

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

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Family members of the victims on the incident travelled from Derry to the courthouse each day of the case.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed, said they always knew that listening to the case would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my recollection," John said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the location, where the victim was shot dead, to the adjoining the courtyard, where the individual and the second person were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I participated in moving the victim and put him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again the entire event during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding experiencing all that – it's still meaningful for me."