Bloody Sunday 40 Years On

Today is the 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, one of the most tragic days in all of Northern Ireland's 30 years of troubles and a watershed moment for increased paramilitary activity in the Catholic community's struggle for civil rights. A peaceful protest in Londonderry/Derry was blocked by British paratroopers who opened fire on the unarmed group of civilians. Dozens were injured and 14 men and boys died on that day, 9 of which were younger than I am today:

John (Jackie) Duddy (17)
Patrick Joseph Doherty (31)
Bernard McGuigan (41)
Hugh Pious Gilmour (17)
Kevin McElhinney (17)
Michael Gerald Kelly (17)
John Pius Young (17)
William Noel Nash (19)
Michael M. McDaid (20)
James Joseph Wray (22)
Gerald Donaghy (17)
Gerald (James) McKinney (34)
William Anthony McKinney (27)
John Johnston (59)

Just over a year ago, nearly 40 years after the incident, an state investigation in Britain revealed that the facts of Bloody Sunday which had previously been that the killings were warranted and that the army was fired on first. PM David Cameron apologized to the people of Derry on behalf of the country and the armed forces.

Apology from PM David Cameron

Response from MP Mark Durkin

Dramatic film portraying the events of Bloody Sunday