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January 30th, 1972 remains arguably the most fatal – and momentous – dates in multiple decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

In the streets of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the buildings and etched in public consciousness.

A public gathering was organized on a cold but bright afternoon in Londonderry.

The demonstration was opposing the practice of detention without trial – holding suspects without trial – which had been implemented after three years of unrest.

Soldiers from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist population.

One image became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a religious figure, the priest, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to defend a assembly carrying a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

The archive features Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that military personnel "appeared to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no reason for the gunfire.

The narrative of events was rejected by the original examination.

The first investigation found the soldiers had been attacked first.

In the negotiation period, the administration established another inquiry, in response to advocacy by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a whitewash.

That year, the findings by Lord Saville said that generally, the military personnel had fired first and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.

At that time government leader, the Prime Minister, issued an apology in the House of Commons – saying fatalities were "improper and inexcusable."

Authorities began to examine the events.

One former paratrooper, referred to as the defendant, was brought to trial for murder.

Indictments were filed concerning the deaths of James Wray, twenty-two, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

Soldier F was further implicated of seeking to harm Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, more people, another person, and an unknown person.

Remains a legal order maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is required because he is at threat.

He stated to the examination that he had solely shot at people who were armed.

That claim was rejected in the final report.

Information from the examination would not be used directly as evidence in the legal proceedings.

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

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the hearing at a hearing in December 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Kin of the victims on the incident made the trip from the city to the courthouse daily of the proceedings.

One relative, whose brother Michael was killed, said they were aware that hearing the trial would be emotional.

"I remember the events in my mind's eye," John said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the trial – from the location, where his brother was shot dead, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and William McKinney were killed.

"It reminds me to my position that day.

"I assisted with Michael and put him in the ambulance.

"I went through the entire event during the proceedings.

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