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Remembrance walk for those killed and injured on 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday

Family members gathered at Creggan Shops before walking to the Bloody Sunday monument in Rossville Street for the annual memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony.

Sunday 30 January 2022 20:50, UK

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Bloody Sunday march retraced
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A remembrance walk and wreath-laying for those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday has taken place as part of a series of events marking 50 years to the day since the atrocity.

Thirteen civil rights protesters were shot dead by British soldiers on January 30 1972 in Derry/Londonderry.

Another man died four days later, and while many consider him the 14th victim, his death was attributed to an inoperable brain tumour.

Thirteen people were killed on Bloody Sunday, with a 14th man dying four days letter
Image: Thirteen people were killed on Bloody Sunday, with a 14th man dying four days later
Bloody Sunday Riot In Londonderry Northern Ireland A Protester Is Detained By Soldiers.
Image: The victims were exonerated by a lengthy and costly public inquiry

Only one suspect - identified as "Soldier F" - was ever charged. He was facing prosecution for double murder, but the case collapsed last year before it had begun.

Family members gathered at Creggan Shops in Londonderry before walking to the Bloody Sunday monument in Rossville Street for the annual memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony.

Religious and community leaders gave readings and the names of those who died were read aloud, as one man vowed to fight on for justice, adding: "We have travelled a long road from the horror of that day."

At 2.30pm, a 50th anniversary march took place from the Creggan Shops to the Free Derry Wall.

Speakers addressed the rally including Kate Nash, the sister of William Nash who was killed, and daughter of Alexander Nash who was wounded going to his aid.

Irish premier Micheal Martin, foreign minister Simon Coveney and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou Macdonald were among the politicians who attended the event and laid wreaths.

People holding crosses take part in a march to commemorate the victims of Bloody Sunday on the 50th anniversary of the 'Bloody Sunday' shootings in Londonderry, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. In 1972 British soldiers shot 28 unarmed civilians at a civil rights march, killing 13 on what is known as Bloody Sunday or the Bogside Massacre. Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of the shootings in the Bogside area of Londonderry .(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Image: Crowds in the Bogside area of Londonderry. Pic: AP

What was Bloody Sunday?

Thirteen people were shot dead and a 14th fatally wounded after the British Army opened fire on crowds demonstrating in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on Sunday 30 January 1972, against anti-Catholic discrimination.

It came at the start of the Troubles 鈥� years of conflict between Unionists, who are largely Protestant and want to remain part of the UK, and Nationalists, who are largely Catholic and want to be part of a united Ireland.

Stones were thrown, and paratroopers eventually tried to arrest as many as possible. Army documents show 21 soldiers fired a total of 108 live rounds.

The government announced an inquiry into Bloody Sunday the day afterwards. It largely cleared the Army of any blame and was branded a farce by victims鈥� families and their supporters.

In 1998, Tony Blair commissioned a new inquiry - it became the longest and most expensive public inquiry in British history, lasting until 2010 and costing around 拢200m.

It found Bloody Sunday protesters completely innocent and although there was "some firing by Republican paramilitaries", the Army was considered responsible for the violence.

The police then spent years on new murder inquiries, but prosecutors concluded that only one solider, identified only as "Soldier F" could be charged.

Last year, two charges of murder and two of attempted murder were dropped, and the prosecution halted when evidence was deemed inadmissible.

Families also met privately with Mr Martin following the event.

Irish President Michael D Higgins also recorded a message for the Bloody Sunday families, also to be shown at a commemorative event, Beyond the Silence, hosted by actor Adrian Dunbar.

BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Bloody Sunday Trust undated handout photos of (top row, left to right) Michael Kelly, Michael McDaid, Hugh Gilmore (bottom row, left to right) Kevin McElhinney, William Nash who were killed on Bloody Sunday and John Johnston who was shot on that day but died from an inoperable brain tumour four months later. Issue date: Thursday January 27, 2022.
Image: (Top row, left to right) Michael Kelly, Michael McDaid, Hugh Gilmore (bottom row, left to right) Kevin McElhinney, William Nash who were killed on Bloody Sunday, and John Johnston
BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Bloody Sunday Trust undated handout photos of (top row, left to right) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John "Jackie" Duddy and Gerald Donaghey, (bottom row, left to right) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young who were killed on Bloody Sunday. Issue date: Thursday January 27, 2022.
Image: (Top row, left to right) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John "Jackie" Duddy and Gerald Donaghey, (bottom row, left to right) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said: "Today we remember the 14 innocent people who were killed in Derry 50 years ago on Bloody Sunday.

"The events of that day cast a long shadow over the city and the country that many are still dealing with today.

"We salute the courage and perseverance of the victims and their families who have campaigned tirelessly for justice and who continue to do so today.

"Their tenacity serves as an example to other Troubles-related victims to never give up the fight for justice.

"We pledge to honour the memory of those who died on Bloody Sunday by standing with all victims of the Troubles and continuing to work for permanent peace on our shared island."

More on this story:
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Cases against two former soldiers collapse

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