Statement by Bishop Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry, on the publication of the Report of The Bloody Sunday Inquiry

15 Jun 2010

PRESS RELEASE
15 June 2010

Statement by Bishop Seamus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry, on the publication of the Report of The Bloody Sunday Inquiry:

I welcome the publication today of the Report of The Bloody Sunday Inquiry and the unequivocal and strong language used in it to confirm the innocence of the victims who were shot, both killed and injured, by the British army in Derry on 30 January 1972.

It was immensely moving to watch the relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims respond to the Report today.  I was struck by their sheer dignity and their palpable relief that the long wait was now over.  Two key words came across again and again: ‘innocence and justice.’  May God bless the relatives and friends of the victims.  Today is their day and it is a very significant day for the people of Derry.

I pay tribute to the many people who were on the ground caring for the victims on that dark day and who did so at considerable risk to their own safety.  I include Bishop Edward Daly and the many clergy who ministered to the victims and who assisted their loved ones in the turmoil and in the aftermath of the shootings.

I warmly welcome the supportive comments today by Bishop Ken Good, Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, who described his ‘hope is that in these pivotal days we will listen carefully to one another as well as paying careful attention to the findings of the Saville Report.’

Above all I hope and pray that those who suffered due to the taking and damaging of human life on Bloody Sunday may now begin to find some peace.

ENDS

Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678