50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday remembered in Lismore
Many people from Lismore town and surrounding areas attended a candlelit vigil in the Millennium Park last Saturday evening on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Derry.
The lighting of 14 candles, as the name of each victim was called, was a poignant reminder of the terrible loss suffered by the families and the community of Derry all those years ago.
“I was honoured to lead the vigil as a resident of the town and chairperson of the new Lismore Sinn Féin Cumann,” Louise Brierley said.
“The atrocity of that day brought heartache and grief to so many families. It shocked a community and a nation when the British Armed Forces shot dead 13 unarmed civilians during a peaceful civil rights march in Derry on 30th January, 1972. Many others were also shot and injured, and a 14th person, John Johnston, would die later as a result of his injuries that day.
“To add to the torment for the families, they must continue their campaign for justice to this day because in spite of two inquiries, and the last one, the Saville Inquiry, concluding in 2010 that the killings were unjustified, it has now been decided that no soldiers will be prosecuted.
“I have listed the names below of the men and boys who were murdered that day, alongside their age, showing just how young many of the victims were which must have compounded the grief, shock and hurt for the whole community.
“I thank the people of Lismore who turned out to remember those who died and to stand in solidarity with their families. I would also like to thank Waterford City and County Council for their support in facilitating the opening of the Millennium Park for us to hold the vigil at the 1916 Commemorative Stone, which we felt was the appropriate place to be,” according to Ms Brierley.
Bloody Sunday victims, 30th January 1972 - Patrick J. Doherty, aged 31 years; Gerald V. Donaghey, aged 17 years; John F. Duddy, aged 17 years; Hugh P. Gilmour, aged 17 years; Michael G. Kelly, aged 17 years; Michael M. McDaid, aged 20 years; Kevin G. McElhinney, aged 17 years; Bernard McGuigan, aged 41 years; James G. McKinney, aged 34 years; William A. McKinney; aged 27 years; William N. Nash, aged 19 years; James J. Wray, aged 22 years; John P. Young, aged 17 years; John Johnston, aged 59 years (who died later on 16th June, 1972 of his injuries).
Beidh cuimhne orthu go deo.