‘Bloody Sunday priest’ Bishop Edward Daly an immense figure, says Martin McGuinness

EDWARD DALY, the retired Bishop of Derry who died on Monday 8 August, was “an immense figure” in Derry City in war and peace, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness has said.

The former senior IRA figure in Derry during the conflict who is now an Assembly member and deputy First Minister said of Dr Daly:

“He was very forthright in his views at a time when a war was raging in the city but, thankfully, he also lived to see the peace.”  

Martin McGuinness noted that Bishop Daly (pictured) is remembered internationally for the iconic image from Bloody Sunday when he was waving a blood-stained white handkerchief to British soldiers while aiding the dying Jackie Duddy during the massacre of anti-internment, civil rights marchers by the Parachute Regiment on 30 January 1972.

“I met with him on a number of occasions in 1992 and 1993 about the developing Peace Process and he was always compassionate, honest and backed the efforts of me and others to help bring the conflict to an end,” Martin McGuinness said.

“He is a huge loss to the city and its people and I extend my sincerest condolences and those of my party to his family at this very sad time.”