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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the deadliest – and consequential – days during three decades of conflict in this area.

Within the community of the incident – the images of the tragic events are visible on the walls and embedded in people's minds.

A public gathering was conducted on a cold but bright day in the city.

The march was a protest against the policy of internment – detaining individuals without legal proceedings – which had been put in place following an extended period of unrest.

Military personnel from the elite army unit fatally wounded multiple civilians in the district – which was, and remains, a predominantly nationalist population.

One image became especially prominent.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, displaying a stained with blood cloth while attempting to shield a crowd transporting a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

News camera operators documented much footage on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly informing a reporter that military personnel "gave the impression they would shoot indiscriminately" and he was "completely sure" that there was no justification for the shooting.

The narrative of the incident was rejected by the original examination.

The initial inquiry determined the Army had been fired upon initially.

During the negotiation period, the ruling party set up a fresh examination, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.

During 2010, the report by the inquiry said that on balance, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the victims had posed any threat.

The contemporary head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the House of Commons – declaring fatalities were "improper and unacceptable."

The police began to look into the matter.

A military veteran, referred to as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder.

Indictments were filed over the killings of James Wray, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a court ruling maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his attorneys have argued is necessary because he is at risk of attack.

He told the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were possessing firearms.

The statement was dismissed in the final report.

Evidence from the examination could not be used directly as testimony in the court case.

In court, the defendant was shielded from sight behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a session in December 2024, to respond "not responsible" when the accusations were read.

Relatives of those who were killed on that day journeyed from Derry to the judicial building each day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose sibling was died, said they understood that listening to the trial would be emotional.

"I can see the events in my memory," John said, as we walked around the main locations discussed in the trial – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where one victim and another victim were killed.

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

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

"I went through every moment during the evidence.

"Despite enduring everything – it's still valuable for me."