🔗 Share this article

January 30th, 1972 stands as among the most deadly – and consequential – occasions in three decades of unrest in the region.

Throughout the area where it happened – the legacy of that fateful day are displayed on the walls and etched in public consciousness.

A protest demonstration was organized on a wintry, sunny day in the city.

The demonstration was challenging the practice of detention without trial – imprisoning people without trial – which had been implemented after multiple years of violence.

Troops from the Parachute Regiment shot dead multiple civilians in the district – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist population.

One image became notably iconic.

Photographs showed a Catholic priest, Father Daly, using a blood-stained white handkerchief in his effort to protect a assembly transporting a young man, Jackie Duddy, who had been mortally injured.

Media personnel recorded extensive video on the day.

Historical records contains Fr Daly informing a journalist that soldiers "just seemed to fire in all directions" and he was "completely sure" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

The narrative of what happened was disputed by the first inquiry.

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

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

In 2010, the findings by the inquiry said that generally, the paratroopers had discharged weapons initially and that none of the casualties had presented danger.

The contemporary government leader, the Prime Minister, expressed regret in the House of Commons – declaring fatalities were "unjustified and unjustifiable."

Law enforcement began to examine the events.

An ex-soldier, identified as the accused, was prosecuted for homicide.

Indictments were filed regarding the killings of James Wray, 22, and in his mid-twenties another victim.

The defendant was additionally charged of trying to kill several people, other civilians, further individuals, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.

Exists a legal order preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his lawyers have claimed is essential because he is at threat.

He testified the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were carrying weapons.

That claim was rejected in the concluding document.

Evidence from the investigation was unable to be used straightforwardly as evidence in the court case.

In court, the defendant was screened from view behind a blue curtain.

He addressed the court for the initial occasion in court at a session in late 2024, to answer "not responsible" when the charges were read.

Kin of those who were killed on the incident journeyed from Derry to the courthouse every day of the trial.

John Kelly, whose sibling was fatally wounded, said they were aware that listening to the trial would be difficult.

"I visualize the events in my mind's eye," John said, as we visited the key areas mentioned in the proceedings – from Rossville Street, where the victim was killed, to the adjoining the area, where the individual and William McKinney were died.

"It returns me to where I was that day.

"I helped to carry the victim and lay him in the medical transport.

"I experienced again each detail during the proceedings.

"Notwithstanding having to go through all that – it's still meaningful for me."