Bishop Daly was '˜most humane man I ever met'

Mr Cooper was speaking as he attended the funeral of Dr. Daly at St. Eugene’s Cathedral in the city last week.

Both men’s lives were forever altered on Bloody Sunday and their actions to help local people before Bloody Sunday, on the day itself and since, has cemented their place in the city’s history.

Mr Cooper recalled how he spoke to Fr Daly on Bloody Sunday: “He was in favour of the Civil Rights march that day when others weren’t,” Mr Cooper recalled.

Paying tribute to the man now known as ‘the People’s Bishop, Mr Cooper added: “Bishop Daly was the most humane man I ever met. His commitment to the Foyle Hospice, to non-violence, to civil rights was profound.

“He was a man for whom I had the most deepest respect. I am, let me remind you, Church of Ireland and I had such tremendous respect for Bishop Daly, a man of great decency, kindness, humanity.
“His work in the Foyle Hospice is legendary.”

Bishop Daly was laid to rest in the grounds of St Eugene’s Cathedral following Requiem Mass, with Irish President Michael D. Higgins and a Papal representative among the congregation.