ON THIS DAY: 30 JANUARY 1972: 14 civilians shot dead on Bloody Sunday

ON THIS DAY: Bloody Sunday – 14 civilians were shot dead on the streets of Derry by the British Parachute Regiment on 30th January 1972. They had been taking part in a civil rights march against internment without trial. 26 civilians were shot; 13 were killed outright while the death of another man happened four months later attributed to his injuries.  Many of the victims were shot while fleeing from the soldiers, and some were shot while trying to help the wounded. Other protesters were injured by shrapnel, rubber bullets, or batons, and two were run down by army vehicles. All of those shot were Catholics. The march had been organised by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association.

The 2010 Saville Inquiry found that the killings were unjustified, and that the 14 civilians who were shot dead or subsequently died of injuries after British soldiers opened fire on a civil rights demonstration January 30th 1972, were unarmed, innocent, and posed no threat to the soldiers.

Patrick Doherty (31)

Was shot from behind as he attempted to crawl to safety from the forecourt of Rossville Flats. He died at the scene after being hit with a single round that entered his body through the right buttock and exited the left side of his chest. While the soldier who fired at him claimed initially that Mr Doherty had been armed with a pistol, a photograph of Mr Doherty that had been taken moments before he was hit showed no evidence of any firearm.

Gerald Donaghy (17)

Was running between Glenfada Park and Abbey Park when he was shot in the abdomen. The teenager, was carried to the house of local man Raymond Rogan, where he was examined by a doctor.

Mr Rogan and another man then attempted to drive the teenager to the city’s Altnagelvin Hospital. However, they were stopped at a military checkpoint and ordered to abandon the vehicle. At this point, a soldier drove Gerald to an army first-aid post. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

John ‘Jackie’ Duddy (17)

Shot in the chest in the car park of Rossville Flats, he was the first to be killed on Bloody Sunday. Witnesses claimed that he was unarmed and running away from the scene when he was hit.

Hugh Gilmour (17)

Was hit with a single shot as he ran away from the rubble barricade on Rossville Street. A photo taken of the stricken teenager showed no evidence of a weapon and witnesses insisted that he was unarmed. Mr Gilmour died at the scene.

Michael Kelly (17)

Shot once in the abdomen close to the rubble barricade. He died in the ambulance on the way to hospital.

Michael McDaid (20)

Died instantly after being shot in the face at the barricade. The downward trajectory of the bullet’s entry wound led to claims that he was shot by soldiers positioned on top of Derry’s historic stone walls, which overlooked the scene.

Kevin McElhinney (17)

Was shot from behind as he crawled toward Rossville Flats. The bullet entered his right buttock and exited his shoulder. Witnesses, including a Catholic priest, claimed that he was not armed. When he was hit, fellow marchers ran out from the flats and dragged him inside, but he died soon after.

Bernard ‘Barney’ McGuigan (41)

Was going to the aid of Patrick Doherty, waving a white handkerchief in his hand, when he was shot in the head. Eyewitnesses claimed that he was unarmed.

Gerard McKinney (35)

Was running close behind Gerald Donaghy in Glenfada Park when the teenager was shot.

Witnesses said he then raised his hands and shouted: “Don’t shoot!” but moments later he was hit in the chest.

The bullet passed sideways through his body but did not wound either arm, indicating that his hands were indeed raised at the time.

William ‘Willie’ McKinney (27)

(not related to Gerard). Also shot in Glenfada Park. A keen amateur film-maker, he had recorded scenes from the march with his hand-held cinecamera before the shooting started. The camera was found in his jacket pocket as he lay dying.

William Nash (19)

Struck by a single bullet to the chest close to the rubble barricade. With the trajectory again downwards, it is thought he may also have been fired on by a soldier on the walls. Witnesses said he was unarmed.

James Wray (22)

Shot twice in Glenfada Park. Two witnesses to the Widgery Tribunal said the second shot was fired at close range while he lay injured on the ground from the first bullet.

John Young (17)

Killed instantly with a single shot to the head at the rubble barricade. The bullet hit him in the left eye and travelled downward through his chest, indicating that he may also have been shot from the walls above. Two witnesses swore he was unarmed.

John Johnston (59)

Was shot twice from soldiers inside a derelict building in William Street. This incident happened away from the scene of the rest of the shootings and took place around 15 minutes earlier. He survived the day but died six months later.

“He was lapping it up .. he said it was the best thing he had seen for a long time.” Audio of British Army officers discussing the killing of civilians on Bloody Sunday matches the shocking transcript from the Saville Inquiry (page 551) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/…/0029_viii.pdf