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Sunday 30 January 1972 remains arguably the most deadly – and consequential – days in thirty years of conflict in the region.

Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of that fateful day are displayed on the buildings and etched in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny day in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the system of imprisonment without charges – imprisoning people without trial – which had been established in response to an extended period of unrest.

Soldiers from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist community.

A particular photograph became notably prominent.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained cloth in his effort to shield a group moving a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

News camera operators captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts includes Fr Daly explaining to a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

This account of what happened wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

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

Throughout the negotiation period, the administration established another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

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

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, apologised in the House of Commons – stating killings were "improper and unjustifiable."

Authorities started to investigate the events.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the killings of James Wray, 22, and 26-year-old another victim.

The defendant was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, additional persons, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a judicial decision preserving the soldier's identity protection, which his attorneys have argued is essential because he is at threat.

He told the examination that he had solely shot at individuals who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was dismissed in the official findings.

Evidence from the investigation would not be used straightforwardly as evidence in the criminal process.

In court, the defendant was hidden from public behind a blue curtain.

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

Kin of the victims on that day travelled from Derry to the judicial building each day of the case.

A family member, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they always knew that listening to the case would be difficult.

"I visualize the events in my recollection," John said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the trial – from the street, where Michael was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the area, where one victim and the second person were killed.

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

"I participated in moving Michael and lay him in the ambulance.

"I went through each detail during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding experiencing the process – it's still worthwhile for me."