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January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most deadly – and consequential – dates in thirty years of unrest in Northern Ireland.

In the streets where it happened – the legacy of the tragic events are painted on the structures and seared in public consciousness.

A civil rights march was held on a cold but bright period in Derry.

The protest was challenging the practice of internment – holding suspects without due process – which had been established following three years of conflict.

Soldiers from the elite army unit fatally wounded 13 people in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist community.

A specific visual became particularly prominent.

Photographs showed a clergyman, Father Daly, using a stained with blood fabric in his effort to shield a group carrying a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists captured considerable film on the day.

Historical records includes Fr Daly explaining to a media representative that military personnel "gave the impression they would fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

The narrative of what happened was disputed by the original examination.

The first investigation determined the soldiers had been attacked first.

Throughout the negotiation period, the administration established a new investigation, following pressure by family members, who said Widgery had been a inadequate investigation.

That year, the conclusion by the investigation said that overall, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that none of the individuals had presented danger.

The then head of state, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the House of Commons – declaring deaths were "improper and unjustifiable."

Authorities began to look into the events.

A military veteran, referred to as Soldier F, was charged for homicide.

He was charged regarding the killings of James Wray, twenty-two, and 26-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm multiple individuals, other civilians, Joe Mahon, an additional individual, and an unknown person.

Remains a judicial decision protecting the veteran's privacy, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at threat.

He stated to the examination that he had only fired at people who were armed.

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Material from the inquiry was unable to be used straightforwardly as proof in the court case.

In the dock, the defendant was shielded from sight behind a privacy screen.

He addressed the court for the opening instance in the proceedings at a session in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the allegations were read.

Kin of the victims on Bloody Sunday made the trip from the city to the judicial building every day of the trial.

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

"I visualize the events in my recollection," John said, as we examined the primary sites discussed in the proceedings – from the location, where Michael was shot dead, to the adjacent Glenfada Park, where James Wray and the second person were killed.

"It reminds me to my location that day.

"I assisted with the victim and lay him in the ambulance.

"I experienced again every moment during the evidence.

"But even with having to go through all that – it's still worthwhile for me."