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January 30th, 1972 stands as arguably the deadliest – and momentous – dates during three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area where it happened – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the walls and seared in people's minds.

A protest demonstration was held on a cold but bright day in Derry.

The demonstration was a protest against the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without legal proceedings – which had been implemented following an extended period of violence.

Military personnel from the Parachute Regiment killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and remains, a strongly nationalist community.

A specific visual became notably memorable.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Daly, displaying a bloodied white handkerchief while attempting to defend a crowd moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

News camera operators captured much footage on the day.

Historical records contains Father Daly telling a reporter that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

The narrative of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

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

During the resolution efforts, the ruling party set up a new investigation, following pressure by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by the investigation said that overall, the paratroopers had initiated shooting and that not one of the casualties had presented danger.

The contemporary Prime Minister, the leader, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating deaths were "unjustified and unacceptable."

Law enforcement started to examine the incident.

One former paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, was charged for murder.

He was charged concerning the fatalities of one victim, 22, and 26-year-old the second individual.

Soldier F was also accused of trying to kill multiple individuals, additional persons, further individuals, another person, and an unnamed civilian.

Remains a court ruling protecting the defendant's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is required because he is at risk of attack.

He told the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were possessing firearms.

The statement was rejected in the final report.

Material from the examination was unable to be used straightforwardly as proof in the criminal process.

In the dock, the defendant was shielded from sight behind a protective barrier.

He made statements for the initial occasion in court at a session in that month, to answer "not guilty" when the accusations were read.

Family members of those who were killed on that day made the trip from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

One relative, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the trial would be emotional.

"I can see all details in my mind's eye," he said, as we examined the key areas discussed in the trial – from the location, where the victim was fatally wounded, to the adjoining Glenfada Park, where the individual and William McKinney were killed.

"It even takes me back to where I was that day.

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

"I relived every moment during the proceedings.

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