Tributes to Brendan Hinds - civil rights veteran

Tributes have been paid to Derry civil rights veteran Brendan Hinds who has died.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jan 2021, 10:58 BST
October 5, 1968... Brendan Hinds (far right) was among the organisers of the iconic civil rights march which was violently attacked by the RUC at Duke Street. Included in photo are Kevin Agnew, Paddy Devlin, Eddie McAteer, Gerry Fitt and Ivan Cooper.October 5, 1968... Brendan Hinds (far right) was among the organisers of the iconic civil rights march which was violently attacked by the RUC at Duke Street. Included in photo are Kevin Agnew, Paddy Devlin, Eddie McAteer, Gerry Fitt and Ivan Cooper.
October 5, 1968... Brendan Hinds (far right) was among the organisers of the iconic civil rights march which was violently attacked by the RUC at Duke Street. Included in photo are Kevin Agnew, Paddy Devlin, Eddie McAteer, Gerry Fitt and Ivan Cooper.

Mr Hinds, a father of six from the Galliagh area of the city, passed away peacefully at Altnagelvin Hospital on Thursday.

Mr Hinds was a former chairman of the Labour Party in the city and was a key player in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

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Among those to pay tribute to him was Dermie McClenaghan, another veteran of the campaign for civil rights.

The late Brendan Hinds.The late Brendan Hinds.
The late Brendan Hinds.

He said: “Brendan was chairman of the Labour Party in Derry in the 1960s and, during that time, was also prominent in the civil rights movement.

“He was a member of the Derry Citizens Action Committee with John Hume, Ivan Cooper, Claude Wilton, Willie Breslin, James Doherty, John Patton, Finbarr O’Doherty and others.

“He was also a trade unionist, being a member of the Electrical Trades Union (ETU).

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“Brendan was a good friend and kind to those that new him. He was humorous with a sharp wit, and the best of company.

“He was at our wedding and his wedding gift to Pauline and I was to provide for us a car and a driver to take us to our honeymoon destination in Co. Kerry - a wonderful surprise.

“I have some other wonderful memories of Brendan that will stay with me,” recalled Mr McClenaghan.

Tributes to Mr Hinds also appeared on social media. Among them was one from former Derry Mayor and Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey who hailed his key role in the early years of civil rights.

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Another post from civil rights colleague John Patton read: “Brendan and I marched together... A wit who conquered fear and encouraged others to join him. May the big guy rest in peace.”

Another post on Facebook said: “Appreciated his kindness and contribution to Labour politics and the struggle for civil rights.”

Mr Hinds is survived by his wife, Ursula, and children, Mary, Anne, Brenda, Glenn, Dawson and Gavin.

Related topics:DerryLabour PartyAltnagelvin Hospital