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IRA bomb in Claudy was indefensible, says Martin McGuinness | IRA bomb in Claudy was indefensible, says Martin McGuinness |
(4 months later) | |
An IRA bomb that killed nine people 40 years ago in Claudy, Northern Ireland, was appalling and indefensible, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has said. | An IRA bomb that killed nine people 40 years ago in Claudy, Northern Ireland, was appalling and indefensible, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has said. |
The Stormont deputy first minister sparked controversy two years ago when he revealed he had met a Catholic priest allegedly implicated in the car bombings that rocked the County Derry village in 1972. | The Stormont deputy first minister sparked controversy two years ago when he revealed he had met a Catholic priest allegedly implicated in the car bombings that rocked the County Derry village in 1972. |
McGuinness said Father James Chesney never mentioned Claudy when they met shortly before the clergyman's death from cancer in 1980. | McGuinness said Father James Chesney never mentioned Claudy when they met shortly before the clergyman's death from cancer in 1980. |
Relatives of those killed in the bombings said they had met a further suspect in the case, but demanded the truth surrounding the three car explosions that killed nine people, including two teenagers and an eight-year-old girl. | Relatives of those killed in the bombings said they had met a further suspect in the case, but demanded the truth surrounding the three car explosions that killed nine people, including two teenagers and an eight-year-old girl. |
The Claudy attack was one of the worst atrocities of the Troubles and, while no group accepted responsibility for the attack, it was widely believed to be the work of the IRA. | The Claudy attack was one of the worst atrocities of the Troubles and, while no group accepted responsibility for the attack, it was widely believed to be the work of the IRA. |
McGuinness, a former IRA leader, said on Tuesday: "The deaths and injuries caused in Claudy on 31 July 1972 were wrong. The events of that day were appalling and indefensible and they should not have happened. All of the deaths and injuries inflicted on totally innocent people in this quiet village 40 years ago should motivate everyone in our society to ensure such terrible tragedies never happen again. | McGuinness, a former IRA leader, said on Tuesday: "The deaths and injuries caused in Claudy on 31 July 1972 were wrong. The events of that day were appalling and indefensible and they should not have happened. All of the deaths and injuries inflicted on totally innocent people in this quiet village 40 years ago should motivate everyone in our society to ensure such terrible tragedies never happen again. |
"Today marks the anniversary of Claudy. It is also the 40th anniversary of two unarmed young men from Creggan in Derry who were shot by the British army. Last week it was Bloody Friday. Next week is the anniversary of the killing of 19 people in Ballymurphy during internment week. It is my firm view that we need to find a better way of dealing with the legacy of the conflict which goes beyond individual acts of commemoration or remembrance and begins to deal with the very real hurt that exists throughout our society. | "Today marks the anniversary of Claudy. It is also the 40th anniversary of two unarmed young men from Creggan in Derry who were shot by the British army. Last week it was Bloody Friday. Next week is the anniversary of the killing of 19 people in Ballymurphy during internment week. It is my firm view that we need to find a better way of dealing with the legacy of the conflict which goes beyond individual acts of commemoration or remembrance and begins to deal with the very real hurt that exists throughout our society. |
"All of the families of those who died or were injured deserve and are entitled to the truth about the deaths of their loved ones. We must collectively increase our efforts to heal the deep hurt caused by the Claudy bombings and all of the suffering in 1972, and continue to build on the progress of our peace process." | "All of the families of those who died or were injured deserve and are entitled to the truth about the deaths of their loved ones. We must collectively increase our efforts to heal the deep hurt caused by the Claudy bombings and all of the suffering in 1972, and continue to build on the progress of our peace process." |
In 2010 the Northern Ireland police ombudsman released a report that said the police, the state and the Catholic church covered up Chesney's suspected role in the bombing. It said officers believed the priest, who was later moved to the Irish Republic, was a suspect. | In 2010 the Northern Ireland police ombudsman released a report that said the police, the state and the Catholic church covered up Chesney's suspected role in the bombing. It said officers believed the priest, who was later moved to the Irish Republic, was a suspect. |
McGuinness said he was asked to visit the priest because the clergyman was a supporter of Irish reunification. | McGuinness said he was asked to visit the priest because the clergyman was a supporter of Irish reunification. |
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