THE wife of well-known civil rights leader Paddy “Bogside” Doherty has died just weeks after the death of her husband.
Eileen Doherty died at her home in Derry on Saturday. Her funeral will take place later today following Requiem Mass at St Eugene’s Cathedral.
A leading figure during Derry’s Battle of the Bogside, Mr Doherty (89) passed away on January 7 after a long illness. During the early days of the Troubles, he was vice-chairman of the Derry Citizen Defence Association which was established in 1969 to protect nationalists from RUC and loyalist attacks.
He was also one of the founders of the Inner City Trust which was established to develop buildings within Derry’s walled city and to help young people learn new skills. The Inner City Trust was responsible for some of the best known buildings in Derry city centre including the city’s Tower Museum.
Mrs Doherty, who had been ill for some time, is survived by sons John, Hugh, Declan, Kieran, Kevin and Brendan and daughters Roisin, Eileen, Kathleen, PaddyAnn, Fiona and Nuala.
Her death is the third bereavement in the family since the start of the year. Her son-in-law, Jim Kelly – married to her daughter, Fiona - died on the same day as her husband and was buried on the day following his funeral.
Following Requiem Mass, Mrs Doherty will be buried with her husband at Derry City Cemetery.
