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Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and consequential – dates throughout multiple decades of violence in the region.

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

A protest demonstration was conducted on a cold but bright day in the city.

The demonstration was opposing the policy of detention without trial – holding suspects without due process – which had been implemented following multiple years of unrest.

Troops from the elite army unit killed thirteen individuals in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a predominantly Irish nationalist area.

A particular photograph became particularly memorable.

Images showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to protect a group transporting a youth, Jackie Duddy, who had been fatally wounded.

Journalists recorded extensive video on the day.

Documented accounts includes the priest telling a journalist that troops "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no justification for the gunfire.

That version of the incident was disputed by the initial investigation.

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

Throughout the resolution efforts, Tony Blair's government commissioned a new investigation, in response to advocacy by surviving kin, who said the first investigation had been a cover-up.

That year, the report by Lord Saville said that generally, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that zero among the casualties had presented danger.

The then Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, apologised in the Parliament – stating deaths were "without justification and inexcusable."

Authorities began to examine the events.

An ex-soldier, known as the defendant, was brought to trial for murder.

Indictments were filed regarding the deaths of the first individual, 22, and twenty-six-year-old William McKinney.

The defendant was further implicated of seeking to harm several people, Joseph Friel, more people, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order protecting the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have maintained is essential because he is at threat.

He told the investigation that he had only fired at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was rejected in the final report.

Evidence from the inquiry was unable to be used immediately as proof in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was shielded from sight behind a blue curtain.

He made statements for the first time in court at a hearing in that month, to answer "not responsible" when the allegations were presented.

Relatives of the victims on that day travelled from Londonderry to the courthouse every day of the proceedings.

A family member, whose sibling was killed, said they were aware that listening to the case would be difficult.

"I visualize all details in my mind's eye," the relative said, as we walked around the primary sites mentioned in the trial – from the street, where his brother was fatally wounded, to the adjacent the courtyard, where one victim and the second person were died.

"It reminds me to where I was that day.

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

"I went through the entire event during the evidence.

"Notwithstanding experiencing everything – it's still worthwhile for me."