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January 30th, 1972 remains among the deadliest – and momentous – dates during thirty years of violence in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area of the incident – the legacy of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and etched in public consciousness.

A public gathering was conducted on a wintry, sunny period in Londonderry.

The demonstration was a protest against the policy of detention without trial – imprisoning people without due process – which had been implemented in response to an extended period of conflict.

Soldiers from the elite army unit shot dead 13 people in the district – which was, and remains, a overwhelmingly republican area.

A particular photograph became particularly iconic.

Pictures showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief as he tried to protect a group moving a young man, the injured teenager, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel captured much footage on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly explaining to a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to discharge weapons randomly" and he was "totally convinced" that there was no provocation for the shooting.

The narrative of events wasn't accepted by the initial investigation.

The first investigation concluded the Army had been fired upon initially.

In the resolution efforts, the ruling party established a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a cover-up.

That year, the conclusion by the investigation said that generally, the soldiers had discharged weapons initially and that not one of the victims had presented danger.

The then head of state, David Cameron, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating killings were "unjustified and inexcusable."

The police started to investigate the matter.

A military veteran, referred to as the defendant, was charged for murder.

Accusations were made concerning the fatalities of the first individual, in his twenties, and twenty-six-year-old another victim.

The defendant was additionally charged of seeking to harm multiple individuals, additional persons, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

There is a judicial decision maintaining the soldier's identity protection, which his legal team have argued is essential because he is at risk of attack.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.

The statement was dismissed in the final report.

Information from the examination would not be used immediately as proof in the legal proceedings.

In court, the accused was hidden from public behind a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a hearing in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the accusations were presented.

Family members of the victims on that day travelled from the city to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.

A family member, whose brother Michael was fatally wounded, said they were aware that attending the case would be painful.

"I visualize all details in my recollection," John said, as we examined the primary sites mentioned in the proceedings – from the street, where Michael was killed, to the adjacent the courtyard, where James Wray and William McKinney were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I assisted with my brother and put him in the vehicle.

"I relived the entire event during the testimony.

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