Donaghey family take campaign to Brussels
Members of the Derry delegation pictured on a visit to Brussels, where they were hosted by Sinn F�in MEP Martina Anderson, to highlight the case of Gerard Donaghey. (2501MM10)
Family and friends of Gerald Donaghey who was murdered by British Paratroopers in Derry on Bloody Sunday 1972 have taken their campaign to clear his name to the European Parliament.
Journal reporter Julieann Campbell accompanied the delegation of Bloody Sunday families who travelled to the EU Parliament to highlight the continued injustice perpetrated against the good name of Gerald Donaghey by the findings of Saville.
Among those who met with the campaigners was the Irish Government’s permanent representative in Brussels, Fergal Mythen, Fianna Fail MEP Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher, Irish Culture Minister, Jimmy Deenihan, Mikael Gustafsson of the Swedish Left Party and former Eastenders actor and senior British Labour Party figure Michael Cashman MEP, who specialises in Civil Liberties and Human Rights issues.
Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney also accompanied the delegation which along with Gerald Donaghey’s niece Geraldine Doherty and prominent Bloody Sunday campaigner, John Kelly – brother of victim Michael Kelly - included Leo Young whose 17 year-old brother John was also murdered on Bloody Sunday and Raymond Rogan, who attempted to ferry the wounded teenager to Altnagelvin Hospital before they were stopped and detained by British soldiers.
Both men have always maintained that at no time while they accompanied Gerald was there any nail bombs on his person.
Martina Anderson said: “The visit by the representatives of the Bloody Sunday Families who travelled as a delegation to raise awareness of the unjustifiable stain left on the reputation of Gerald Donaghey by the Saville findings, will I am sure gain support among my fellow MEPs that they met.
“On reading the copy of the report ‘Gerald Donaghey: The Truth About the Planting of Nail Bombs on Bloody Sunday’ given to each MEP and the Irish government representative I have no doubt they will identify with the feelings of the families.
“I congratulate Geraldine and the group on their determination and the powerful presentation they made to the MEPs.
“I will now host a further meeting with MEPs in Strasbourg next week to discuss a strategy to build support for the campaign in Europe.”
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney added:“While the Saville Report was an important building block in Irish/British relations, the Inquiry’s findings left a ‘shadow’ over the Donaghey and Doherty families. We will continue our support for the families in whatever course of action they believe is necessary.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
