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Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and significant – days during three decades of violence in the region.

Within the community where it happened – the images of that fateful day are displayed on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was organized on a cold but bright day in the city.

The demonstration was a protest against the policy of internment – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established after three years of violence.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 people in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly nationalist area.

One image became especially prominent.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a bloodied cloth while attempting to shield a assembly moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly 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.

This account of events was rejected by the first inquiry.

The Widgery Tribunal concluded the Army had been attacked first.

In the resolution efforts, the administration established a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the report by the inquiry said that overall, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the individuals had been armed.

At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the government chamber – stating killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Law enforcement started to look into the incident.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was prosecuted for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the deaths of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm several people, other civilians, further individuals, another person, and an unknown person.

Remains a court ruling maintaining the defendant's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He testified the investigation that he had solely shot at persons who were armed.

The statement was rejected in the official findings.

Material from the examination would not be used directly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight using a blue curtain.

He spoke for the initial occasion in court at a hearing in late 2024, to reply "not responsible" when the allegations were put to him.

Kin of the victims on that day made the trip from Londonderry to the judicial building every day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.

"I visualize the events in my memory," John said, as we visited the key areas referenced in the proceedings – from the location, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the nearby Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were died.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

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

"I relived each detail during the testimony.

"But even with enduring all that – it's still meaningful for me."