AN investigation is
underway in Derry after a sculpture commemorating
the victims of Bloody Sunday was vandalised in the
Bogside.
The carved brick sculpture at the Gasyard was
nearing completion when it was damaged on Saturday
night.
Community worker Declan McLaughlin blamed "a very
small group of teenagers" whom he branded "a
disgrace".
The damage to the memorial was caused just four days
after the publication of the Saville Report into
Bloody Sunday.
Derry was euphoric last Tuesday when the
long-awaited report exonerated the victims
unequivocally.
'THE greatest day of my life' was how Tony Doherty
whose father Paddy was shot dead on Bloody Sunday,
described the release of the report into the 1972
shootings in Derry.
His comments came after Lord Saville concluded that
the 14 dead and injured in Bloody Sunday had been
shot without justification.
The report was scathing of the actions of British
paratroopers on the day, saying that none of the
victims posed any threat to the lives of the
soldiers who shot them.
A day packed with emotion and drama began early on
Tuesday morning when solicitors representing the
victims’ families went to Derry's Guildhall at 8am
to get their first sight of the 5000-page report
that had taken 12 years to compile.
Shortly after 10am, the relatives themselves
symbolically completed the march started on that
ill-fated day in January 30, 1972 and walked to the
Guildhall so they too could see the report. Then the
waiting began as the world's press camped outside.
At 2.30pm, the press were allowed in to have their
look at the long-awaited report.
Then, British Prime Minister David Cameron stood up
in the Commons to give the reaction of his
Government.
As thousands of people listened and watched on large
screens set up in Guildhall Square, David Cameron
said the killings were “unjustified and
unjustifiable” and then to thunderous applause he
said, “I am deeply sorry” on behalf of his
Government and the country.
Shortly afterwards, the relatives emerged from the
Guildhall to rapturous cheers from the assembled
throng. One by one they proclaimed the innocence of
their loved ones.
Damian Donaghey, the first person to be shot on
Bloody Sunday, said he had waited a long time for
that day to come.
Retired Bishop of Derry, Dr Edward Daly, who was
captured in the iconic handkerchief scene, leading
out the men carrying the dead body of Jackie Duddy,
described it as “a great day for the city”.
After 38 years and countless marches, rallies and
reports, the relatives of the dead and injured of
Bloody Sunday finally heard the words they wanted to
hear. |
