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Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as arguably the most fatal – and consequential – days during three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where it happened – the legacy of the tragic events are visible on the buildings and etched in collective memory.

A civil rights march was conducted on a cold but bright day in Derry.

The protest was opposing the policy of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been established in response to an extended period of conflict.

Soldiers from the specialized division fatally wounded thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist population.

One image became notably iconic.

Images showed a religious figure, Father Daly, displaying a stained with blood cloth in his effort to shield a group moving a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been killed.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

Historical records features the priest informing a reporter that soldiers "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the discharge of weapons.

The narrative of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

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

In the resolution efforts, the ruling party commissioned a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the report by Lord Saville said that generally, the paratroopers had fired first and that none of the casualties had been armed.

At that time head of state, the leader, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating killings were "without justification and unjustifiable."

Law enforcement commenced examine the events.

A military veteran, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for murder.

He was charged over the deaths of one victim, 22, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was additionally charged of attempting to murder Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a judicial decision protecting the veteran's identity protection, which his lawyers have claimed is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at people who were carrying weapons.

That claim was disputed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the investigation could not be used directly as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In the dock, the defendant was hidden from public using a protective barrier.

He spoke for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in late 2024, to reply "innocent" when the charges were put to him.

Family members of the victims on that day travelled from Londonderry to the judicial building daily of the proceedings.

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

"I can see all details in my mind's eye," John said, as we visited the main locations referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the nearby the courtyard, where one victim and another victim were died.

"It even takes me back to my location that day.

"I participated in moving Michael and put him in the vehicle.

"I experienced again each detail during the testimony.

"Notwithstanding having to go through all that – it's still meaningful for me."