The Bloody Sunday inquiry into the massacre of 13 unarmed civilians at a civil rights march by British soldiers of the Parachute regiment in Derry in 1974 will conclude that a number of the killings were unlawful. A 14th person died later.

That opens up the prospect of some of the soldiers being tried for manslaughter if not murder.

One soldier in particular, who is said to have been responsible for at least four killings, may well find himself in the dock. It will be up to the Public Prosecution Service to decide. 

The sensational findings will be fully released on Tuesday next in the House of Commons. Prime Minister David Cameron will make a statement before it is released.

The 12 year inquiry was headed by Lord Peter Saville, the longest public inquiry in British history.

The findings are certain to cause consternation, especially on the unionist side.

Derry Bloody Sunday murders

were unlawful killings, inquiry finds.

            THE AOH IN MICHIGAN REMEMBERS “AN GORTA MOR”

The Brothers and Sisters of the Order gathered on the grounds of the Shrine of Saint Joseph, along the old Chicago toll road, in the Irish Hills region of Michigan, on May 16th, to remember “ An Gorta Mor”.

The Shrine is the location of the impressive memorial erected by the AOH Saint Patrick’s Division of Adrian, as a reminder of the tragedy that England allowed to play out in the period known as “Black 47” or  the Great Hunger of 1845-49. The failure of the only crop that fed the native Irish, held in bondage by the invaders of their land from the mid 1600’s, resulted in the dislocation of over two million and the deaths of over one million Irish. The Memorial is the only one in the State of Michigan and was formally dedicated in 2004. It was designed and executed by a committee that included AOH Members from Michigan and Buffalo, New York,  under the direction of the then Division President, and  Past State President, Brother Patrick Maguire.

The ceremony began with a Mass Con-Celebrated by the Parish Pastor, Fr. Carl Simon and Division Chaplin, Fr. David Hudgins. Fr Dave gave an impressive homily and thanks to his Irish heritage, was able to weave bits of history regarding the shameful event, into all phases of the homily celebrating the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven.  Fr. Carl was presented a beautiful award, by Brother Maguire and Brother Sean Murphy, Division President, as a thank you for all his efforts which led to the completion of the Monument on the parish grounds.

The assembly then proceeded to the Memorial where during the ceremony, the AOH Division President Sean Murphy placed a wreath, and followed by a wreath placed by the LAOH Division President Susan Maher-Muck, followed by a third wreath placed by Brother William Lynch Representing the Fr. Magee Division of Grand Rapids. The event was attended by National Director Daniel “Danny” O’Connell of Ohio, representing the AOH National Board, State President John McInerney, State V-President Patrick Sturdy, State Financial Secretary Gerald Mato, State Veterans Affairs Chair Terence Murray and State Historian James O’Kelly.  Brother G. William Byrne Past National Director and Brother Maury Collins representing the AOH of Toledo Ohio, Brother Jerry McNally representing Mahoning Co. Division 6, Youngstown, Ohio, LAOH Division President Sue Maher-Muck and many more Brothers and Sisters of the Order, participated in this International Remembrance of man’s inhumanity to man, on a beautiful warm sunny afternoon, in the center of Michigan. A reception was held, following the ceremony, in the Parish Hall hosted by the AOH Saint Patrick’s Division and the LAOH Our Lady of Knock Division’s of Adrian Michigan. 

Please go to our An Gorta Mor to view all of the pictures of the An Gorta Mor Memorial.

Brothers and Sisters, as Hibernians we should appreciate and support the only Irish club in Michigan, the AOH Hall, that provides live GAA games direct from Ireland, available for our viewing pleasure on a weekly basis. Our esteemed AOH President, John McInerney, in the legacy of Daniel P. O'Kennedy, has for years ensured that this major Irish cultural sporting games are available for our viewing pleasure. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to give them access to the sporting grass roots that is unique to our homeland. No other nation has suffered the tribulations as the Irish to ensure the survival of its sports, history and culture against a ruthless conqueror. 

IT IS OUR DUTY AS HIBERNIANS TO BE PROUD OF AND SUPPORT OUR SPORTING HERITAGE AND ALSO ENCOURAGE ALL IRISH AMERICANS TO FOLLOW SUIT. LETS START BY REGULAR SUNDAY ATTENDANCE AT THE GAA GAMES AT THE AOH HALL.

FYI:

The Fr John Whalen McGee Division 1 Kent  County in Grand Rapids has the Honor of being the oldest AOH Division in the State of Michigan.

They have been active continuously for 127 years.

Bloody Sunday A tribute to those that died

Brothers, this is how the families of the murdered victims feel and what they think of the AOH in America.

Seamus Boyle National President
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, Inc

BLOODY SUNDAY-Saville Report will leave a lasting impression in the Town I love So Well

Its been over a week now since I arrived at Free Derry Corner amazed at the crowds of people that thronged the streets in anticipation of the 'Saville Report' I stood with my Brother and cousins about 20 yards where our Uncle (Michael McDaid -17) had been murdered that day. We walked with hope down Rosville Street on to William Street and passed the spot where the British Army had decided the Civil Rights march would go no further 38 years before. Today in Derry there is no sign of the foreign army but their presence has lived on 'til this day.

I was not near as optimistic as so many of the people around me but I felt I 'owed it' to the shot and wounded to be there-to show we havent forgot. I had family members inside the Guildhall that had spent every day working to clear Michaels name and that of the others gunned down, we were not allowed to communicate in anyway with them. They had access to the full findings of the investigation. The large crowd many thousands deep could tell that there was something in the report to take home when the 'relatives' began showing a document out the windows, many storeys high and giving the thumbs up - this was met with cheers and applause.

Still sceptical at this point. I was however very soon after taken by surprise when David Cameron the British Prime Minister started to speak. One of the first things he said that made my ears perk up was that the British army fired the first shot!! This is common knowledge the world over but 'they' were admitting it!! What came after this cleared all 28 people that were shot in an orgy of British gunfire lasting a mere minute and a half and hundred of rounds of amunition. The report firmly placed the blame at the door of the army (although we know it went highr than that).

I never understood what an impact this could have had - probably because I thought it would never happen, it did and I wish everyone who is reading this could have felt the atmosphere in the City that day and since. It was amazing - a large dark cloud was lifted and people were taken back in time, Derry City will never be the same. The injustice that was done not only on the day but by the Widgery report ripped the life out of a once proud people. My mothers family was deeply affected and regularly harrassed by the Britsh army - raids on houses etc. all is in the past. My Uncle Mickey was wearing his Sunday Best, he was walking towards a civilian who was shot to help get him to safety. He was subsequently shot in the head by a high velocity bullet... he did not die yet and I will not go into further details at this point but his body went missing for several hours before any doctor was allowed to examine him.

The 15th of June 2010 banished the ghost of the British Army from our streets, today our dignity and pride remain intact. We will continue to work peacfully until we are free from foreign interference. One Island, One Ireland.

I felt compelled to write this to thank the AOH in the USA. Not a year went past from 1972 that AOH members from all over the US did not congregate on our streets to demand TRUTH. Now we have it my friends, this is a victory for you as much as for us. You are always welcome on the Streets of Derry.

Ni neart go cur le cheile, Tiocfaidh ar la.

Colum