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January 30th, 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and consequential – occasions throughout multiple decades of unrest in this area.

Within the community where events unfolded – the images of the tragic events are painted on the walls and etched in collective memory.

A public gathering was organized on a wintry, sunny afternoon in Derry.

The march was opposing the practice of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented after an extended period of conflict.

Soldiers from the Parachute Regiment shot dead multiple civilians in the district – which was, and still is, a overwhelmingly republican community.

One image became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood fabric as he tried to defend a group transporting a teenager, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

The archive features the priest informing a journalist that military personnel "gave the impression they would discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

The narrative of the incident was disputed by the first inquiry.

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

During the peace process, the administration established a new investigation, in response to advocacy by bereaved relatives, who said the first investigation had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the investigation said that generally, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that zero among the individuals had presented danger.

At that time head of state, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the government chamber – saying killings were "improper and unjustifiable."

The police began to look into the incident.

A military veteran, identified as the defendant, was charged for killing.

Accusations were made concerning the killings of the first individual, in his twenties, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

Soldier F was further implicated of attempting to murder several people, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's privacy, which his lawyers have argued is necessary because he is at threat.

He testified the examination that he had only fired at people who were possessing firearms.

This assertion was dismissed in the concluding document.

Evidence from the examination would not be used immediately as proof in the court case.

During the trial, the veteran was hidden from public with a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a proceeding in December 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the charges were put to him.

Kin of the victims on the incident journeyed from Londonderry to the courthouse daily of the trial.

John Kelly, whose relative was died, said they always knew that listening to the proceedings would be painful.

"I can see everything in my mind's eye," he said, as we walked around the main locations referenced in the case – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where the individual and another victim were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

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

"I relived every moment during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding having to go through the process – it's still meaningful for me."