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Sunday 30 January 1972 is remembered as one of the most deadly – and momentous – dates throughout multiple decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

Within the community where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are visible on the structures and seared in people's minds.

A public gathering was held on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Londonderry.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been put in place in response to an extended period of violence.

Troops from the elite army unit killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and still is, a strongly nationalist community.

A particular photograph became especially iconic.

Pictures showed a clergyman, the priest, using a bloodied white handkerchief while attempting to defend a assembly transporting a young man, the fatally wounded individual, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel captured extensive video on the day.

The archive includes Fr Daly informing a media representative that troops "appeared to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

That version of what happened was disputed by the original examination.

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

In the peace process, Tony Blair's government commissioned a fresh examination, in response to advocacy by family members, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that none of the individuals had posed any threat.

At that time head of state, David Cameron, apologised in the House of Commons – declaring killings were "improper and unjustifiable."

Law enforcement started to look into the events.

One former paratrooper, known as the defendant, was prosecuted for murder.

Indictments were filed concerning the deaths of the first individual, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was also accused of seeking to harm several people, additional persons, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a judicial decision protecting the defendant's identity protection, which his attorneys have maintained is required because he is at threat.

He stated to the examination that he had only fired at individuals who were carrying weapons.

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Material from the inquiry was unable to be used immediately as testimony in the legal proceedings.

In court, the veteran was screened from view using a privacy screen.

He made statements for the first time in court at a proceeding in December 2024, to respond "innocent" when the accusations were put to him.

Family members of the victims on that day journeyed from Derry to the courthouse each day of the case.

A family member, whose relative was died, said they understood that attending the proceedings would be emotional.

"I remember all details in my recollection," he said, as we walked around the key areas referenced in the trial – from Rossville Street, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

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

"I assisted with the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

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