Inquiry Updates

Commencement of Bloody Sunday Inquiry
Eve of Inquiry- Demonstration of Support

Photograph- Paul McErlane (Reuters)

Politicians, community leaders, churches, the business community, human rights groups, trades unions and the general populace of Derry and beyond have been called on to attend an 'eve of Inquiry' torchlight procession in support of truth and justice. The demonstration of support and solidarity for the families of those killed on Bloody Sunday and those wounded has been organised to take place on Sunday evening at 7.30pm and will proceed in silence from Free Derry Corner to the Guildhall Square.

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry, announced in January 1998, is scheduled to commence the following morning at the Guildhall and is expected to last up to two years. The Inquiry, unprecedented in British legal history, was brought about as a result of a sustained campaign led by relatives of those killed. Organisers of the procession feel it is vital, given several strident attempts by the British Ministry of Defence to undermine the families involvement in the Inquiry, 'that Derry people demonstrate publicly that they are 100% behind the families' demands for truth and justice'.

One of the Organisers, Tony Doherty, appealing for mass support for the procession stated that "The campaign to achieve truth and justice for those who were killed or injured on Bloody Sunday takes a crucial step forward as we enter the first day of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.

"It is not a step that the families or wounded should take on their own. Sunday evening's demonstration of support is an opportunity for the ordinary people of Derry and for civic society to show solidarity with those who have campaigned for years for truth and justice and who are now about to undergo what will undoubtedly be another long and arduous journey."

"The Bloody Sunday Inquiry was brought about by the actions of thousands of ordinary people declaring that the obscenity of the Widgery Tribunal and Report should no longer be tolerated. While the Inquiry was, and is, considered a major step forward, it should be seen as a means to an end rather than an end in itself. Much work remains to be done. The procession, on the eve of the Inquiry, will send clear signals to the British Government that the people of Derry fully support the families and that any moves to undermine or destroy the independence of the Inquiry will simply not be tolerated."

John Kelly of the Bloody Sunday Trust, and brother of Michael Kelly murdered on Bloody Sunday, also called for broad support for the Torchlight Procession: "We are calling on MEPs, MPs, TDs, MLAs, City Councillors, community leaders, church leaders, trade unionists and the people of Derry to publicly demonstrate their support, to walk with us, for truth and justice by attending the torchlight procession on Sunday evening. We appeal to all sections of society, regardless of political persuasion or religion, to come along and take part in this short, silent and dignified demonstration of solidarity."

"It is vital, given several strident attempts by the British Ministry of Defence and sections of the right wing British press to undermine the families involvement in the Inquiry, that Derry people demonstrate publicly that they are 100% behind the families' demands for truth and justice."

"The Procession will be led by 14 people carrying candles in memory of each of those killed on Bloody Sunday. It is our hope that local elected politicians and others will accompany us to the Guildhall Square. We ask people to bring candles, torches or lanterns to the Procession as tokens of remembrance and as a tribute to the enduring struggle for justice and human dignity which has charactarised the families' campaign for many years."

"The entire rally in Guildhall Square will last 20 minutes, to reflect the length of time it took the Parachute Regiment to murder 14 of our citizens and inflict serious wounds upon many others. The only address will be made by Conor Duddy, nephew of Jackie Duddy, who will read out a Charter for Truth and Justice. The event will be chaired by Éamonn McCann, friend of the families and author of seminal works on Bloody Sunday and the Civil Rights period," concluded Mr Kelly.