Northern Ireland

Bloody Sunday: Events to mark anniversary of apology

Bloody Sunday relatives tore up copies of the 1972 Widgery Report following the publication of the new Saville Report in 2010. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Bloody Sunday relatives tore up copies of the 1972 Widgery Report following the publication of the new Saville Report in 2010. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Bloody Sunday relatives tore up copies of the 1972 Widgery Report following the publication of the new Saville Report in 2010. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
By Seamus McKinney

THE eighth anniversary of the publication of Lord Saville’s Bloody Sunday findings and former prime minister, David Cameron’s apology for the killings will be marked by a visit to Derry by relatives of other major atrocities.

In his report into Bloody Sunday, published on June 15 2010, Lord Saville ruled there was no justification for shooting at any of those killed or wounded.

Mr Cameron also issued an unprecedented apology for the actions of the British soldiers responsible. Thousands gathered at Guildhall Square to hear him say the killing of all 14 victims was "unjustified and unjustifiable".

The anniversary will be marked by events organised by the Bloody Sunday Trust. Next Wednesday, relatives of victims of other atrocities will travel as part of the `Derry Model' conflict and peace project.

The group will include relatives of victims of the McGurk's bar bomb, Ballymurphy massacre and Dublin/Monaghan bombings. They will spend two days in Derry and will take part in an “in conversation event” on the impact of Mr Cameron’s apology.

Thousands of people packed Guidlhall Square for the publication of the Saville Report into Bloody Sunday in June 2010. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Thousands of people packed Guidlhall Square for the publication of the Saville Report into Bloody Sunday in June 2010. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Thousands of people packed Guidlhall Square for the publication of the Saville Report into Bloody Sunday in June 2010. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Derry Model manager, Maeve McLaughlin said group was the first to take part in a study visit organised through the project.

Ms McLaughlin said: “I am pleased that we will be joined by Ruairí De Búrca, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who was the Dublin government official in the city on the day of the apology.”

Other events will include an exhibition at the Museum of Free Derry on the 1971 McGurk’s bar bombing. The museum will host a screening of the 2015 Ballymurphy documentary on June 15 and a talk by campaigner, Jon McCourt on the Historical Abuse Inquiry on Saturday June 16.