BISHOP'S REACTION:Hope that those families still in dark may now learn the truth, writes
DAN KEENAN,Northern News Editor, in Derry
BISHOP EDWARD Daly, who as a local curate helped to ferry the dead from the Bogside while waving a blood-stained handkerchief, welcomed the Saville report and the British government’s reaction to it.
“It is a good day for Derry and I hope a good day for the North,” he said. “It’s a good day for truth and justice.”
Church of Ireland bishop the Rev Ken Good also greeted the findings saying: “We can now move forward together as a community, the cloud which has hung over us for almost 40 years has now been lifted and there is a fresh opportunity to shape the future in creative and shared ways.”
Speaking on Derry’s Walls after the announcement, Dr Daly singled out for praise the comments made by the British prime minister. “I certainly was very surprised at David Cameron’s statement, I thought it was very powerful.
“The events that I saw that day – I always knew what happened. It is wonderful to see someone stating quite clearly that these people weren’t posing any threat, that they weren’t guilty of any offence. The implication is that their killing was unjustifiable.”
He said it was now very much up to individual families to decide on their next course of action, if any. “They have mixed views on it. Their views must be respected. Fortunately I don’t have to make that decision.”
Asked if the book was now closed on Bloody Sunday, Dr Daly said: “I think it now is. The active campaigning is now ended, I think it has achieved its full objectives.”
Dr Good said the publication of the findings marked a “significant day for the families, for this city and for the whole of Northern Ireland.” He said the world had been looking on and had witnessed “a decisive moment in the history of this place”.
The people of Derry could now move forward together, he added.
“I was very impressed with the prime minister’s statement, there was no ambiguity about it whatsoever. It was clear, there was no desire to hide and I respect that. I think Saville deserves great credit too for his clarity. There was nothing ambiguous or uncertain about it and I think that is very helpful.”
Referring to those affected by other acts of violence who have not yet received justice or learned the truth, Dr Good said: “I have been very conscious today of those families of other victims who have been looking on at this spectacle and wondering does their loved one count as much as these.
“But what I hope will come as a result of this is that all of us will focus in a fresh way on the need for closure and for justice for the many others in that position.”
He could not be conclusive that the final chapter had now been written in the story of Bloody Sunday, but said: “We have taken such a significant step forward that all sorts of new possibilities exist.”