Domhnach na Fola: "A Travesty Finally Arrested."
Shortly before 3 p.m., the marchers arrived in Guildhall Square singing We Shall Overcome. Some entered the small walled space crying. Others bore giant banners carrying pictures of the 14 victims:Paddy Doherty, 31. Gerald Donaghy, 17. Jackie Duddy, 17. Hugh Gilmour, 17. Michael Kelly, 17. Michael McDaid, 20. Kevin McElhinney, 17. Barney McGuigan, 41. Gerald McKinney, 35. Willie McKinney, 26. William Nash, 19. Jim Wray, 22. John Young, 17. John Johnston, 59.
Each of them innocent. This is how they died.
"This is a day of huge moment and deep emotion in Derry. The people of my city did not just live through Bloody Sunday; they have lived with it since. . .The Prime Minister’s welcome statement and the statement that will be made by the families on the steps of the Guildhall will be the most significant records of this day on the back of the report that has been published. However, perhaps the most important and poignant words from today will not be heard here or on the airwaves. Relatives will stand at the graves of victims and their parents to tell of a travesty finally arrested, of innocence vindicated and of promises kept, and as they do so, they can invoke the civil rights anthem when they say, We have overcome. We have overcome this day."
- Mark Durkan, MP for Foyle.
Maithneamh do dhuine means to forgive someone.
posted by Terry Glavin at 12:07 AM
7 Comments:
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Some people should just fuck off.
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Growing up in England during the IRA terror bombings, I was taught the usual propaganda... the IRA were just a bunch of religious nutters intent on blowing up women and children in Harrods, you can't negotiate with terrorists, etc etc. Then I came to learn about the history of English colonialism, the dispossessions, collective punishments, famines and repression (none of which was taught in school, btw) and realized the Irish had a lot to be angry about, and that you shouldn't believe everything the powers that be tell you. So bravo for finally admitting fault and saying sorry.
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There's no comparison between Bloody Sunday and the "peace flotilla". The Israeli soldiers boarding the flotilla were in genuine fear of death. If you want a comparison, look to October 2000. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2000_events
"Growing up in England ..." is precisely what one third of the Irish (Free State or Republic) have been doing since 1922.
The Inquiry into the events know as 'Bloody Sunday' to distinguish them from the other days of the week on which similar (terrorist) events took place was over due but has added little to what was clear at the time or soon after.
Those of us who would like to see inquiries into many other atrocities committed by terrorists (loyalist as well as republicans) will wait in vain. The return of the bodies of victims (all Catholics I believe) of I.R.A.–Sinn Fein kidnap and murder squads, which was promised under the Good Friday Agreement together with the re-opening of the Bloody Sunday inquiry, will also never take place. To some extent this was known at the time but rather that than more years of killings. As always, Tony Blair out thought any one else in the room.
This is as it should be, heart rending as it may be for those who will never know who killed their loved ones or where they are. A democracy must be accountable in ways terrorists can never be. That's the difference.
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