Derry’s Bloody Sunday campaigners were described by Mayor Colum Eastwood as a “beacon of hope” during a civic reception on Thursday evening.
Over a hundred relatives of those killed on January 30, 1972, as well as many of those who were wounded on the day, were honoured during the Guildhall event. Opening the event, the city’s Mayor, Colum Eastwood, praised all those involved in the “tremendous achievement” of the Saville Report on June 15 and described the Bloody Sunday families as “a beacon of hope” for people all over the world.
“I hope you will all feel vindicated that the truth has come home at last,” Mayor Eastwood added.
In a rousing speech on behalf of the families and injured, campaigner Mickey McKinney, brother of victim Willie McKinney, began by reiterating the massive achievement of June 15, when Lord Saville declared all those killed and injured as innocent and held the British Army solely responsible.
Mr McKinney then insisted that all those present should stand and give themselves a huge round of applause for all that they collectively achieved.
He went on to thank all those at Derry City Council for their ongoing support, particularly all who assisted on the day of the Saville Report, and specifically thanked the Mayor Colum Eastwood and all past Mayors who supported the campaign since it began.
“It is a great honour for us to be invited to Derry’s Guildhall for this occasion. This building has always played a central part in the story of Bloody Sunday.
“It was the destination of the original march in 1972, the home of the Saville Inquiry and the place where we declared our loved one’s innocence to the world,” he added.
A special presentation was made to Conal McFeely of the Bloody Sunday Trust by campaigner John Kelly, brother of victim Michael Kelly.
Mr Kelly praised Mr McFeely for “going above and beyond the call of duty” in organising the events of June 15.
