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January 30th, 1972 is remembered as one of the most fatal – and consequential – dates in three decades of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Throughout the area where it happened – the images of that fateful day are painted on the walls and seared in collective memory.

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

The demonstration was challenging the system of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without trial – which had been implemented in response to multiple years of violence.

Soldiers from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the district – which was, and continues to be, a overwhelmingly Irish nationalist area.

A particular photograph became especially memorable.

Pictures showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, using a bloodied white handkerchief while attempting to defend a assembly carrying a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been killed.

Media personnel documented considerable film on the day.

Historical records features Fr Daly informing a journalist that military personnel "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.

This account of events was disputed by the first inquiry.

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

In the resolution efforts, the ruling party established a new investigation, after campaigning by bereaved relatives, who said the initial inquiry had been a inadequate investigation.

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the soldiers had fired first and that none of the individuals had been armed.

At that time government leader, the leader, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating killings were "unjustified and unacceptable."

The police began to look into the matter.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was brought to trial for killing.

He was charged over the fatalities of James Wray, 22, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The accused was additionally charged of trying to kill Patrick O'Donnell, other civilians, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unnamed civilian.

There is a judicial decision preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

He told the Saville Inquiry that he had solely shot at people who were armed.

The statement was rejected in the concluding document.

Information from the examination could not be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

During the trial, the defendant was shielded from sight using a protective barrier.

He addressed the court for the first time in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to reply "innocent" when the charges were presented.

Relatives of those who were killed on that day travelled from the city to the judicial building every day of the proceedings.

John Kelly, whose relative was killed, said they always knew that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my recollection," John said, as we examined the key areas referenced in the case – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where one victim and William McKinney were died.

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

"I assisted with my brother and place him in the ambulance.

"I relived every moment during the proceedings.

"Despite having to go through the process – it's still worthwhile for me."