Bloody Sunday campaigner John Kelly dies after long illness

Summarised from 5 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 7 Nov, 12:20 · Archive

John Kelly, who campaigned for decades after his brother was killed on Bloody Sunday in 1972, has died following a long illness.

John Kelly, a prominent campaigner for justice over Bloody Sunday, has died following a long illness. His younger brother Michael was 17 when he was killed on Bloody Sunday in Derry on January 30, 1972, when 14 people were shot dead by the Army's Parachute Regiment during a civil rights march. Kelly witnessed the shooting and carried his brother's body to an ambulance.

Kelly dedicated much of his life to the campaign for truth and justice. He chaired the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign from its foundation and worked with the Bloody Sunday Trust from its inception in 1997 as a Family Liaison Officer, supporting bereaved families through the Saville Inquiry. When the Museum of Free Derry opened in 2006, he became its Education and Outreach Officer, spending 18 years sharing his experiences with visitors from around the world.

In 2024, Kelly was honoured with a civic reception after he retired from the Bloody Sunday Trust and Museum of Free Derry. Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said Kelly was "a man of quiet dignity who carried himself with the confidence of someone who knew he was just in his cause". He said Kelly "spent many years fighting for truth and justice, not just for his own family and those who lost loved ones on Bloody Sunday, but for the people of this city" and "repeatedly faced down the might of the British establishment".

The Bloody Sunday Trust and Museum of Free Derry said they were "devastated" by his loss. Tony Doherty, chairperson of the Bloody Sunday Trust, said Kelly "died peacefully in the early hours after a long illness" and would be "remembered with great love and pride in his home town of Derry, throughout Ireland and abroad".

How it is being reported

• 'A very sad day for Derry' as Bloody Sunday justice campaigner John Kelly passes awayTributes have been paid to Bloody Sunday campaigner John Kelly following his passing.Derry Journal · 7 Nov, 14:06
• Death announced of ‘inspirational’ Bloody Sunday campaigner John KellyTributes have been paid to Bloody Sunday campaigner John Kelly following his death on Saturday morning “after a long battle with illness”.News Letter · 7 Nov, 12:33
• Tributes paid to 'inspirational figure' as Bloody Sunday campaigner John Kelly diesJohn Kelly's younger brother Michael, was just 17 when he was killed on Bloody Sunday in Derry in January 1972Belfast Live · 7 Nov, 11:34
• Death announced of ‘inspirational’ Bloody Sunday campaigner John KellyBelfast Telegraph · 7 Nov, 11:26
• Tributes paid after death of Bloody Sunday campaigner John KellyBelfast Telegraph · 7 Nov, 10:57
• Tributes paid after death of Bloody Sunday campaigner John KellyBelfast Telegraph · 7 Nov, 10:57
• Tributes paid to Bloody Sunday campaigner John KellyJohn Kelly who has died after a short illness campaigned for justice since his brother and 12 others were killed by the Army in 1972.BBC Northern Ireland · 7 Nov, 10:53

In this story: John Kelly · Michael Kelly · Bloody Sunday · Derry · Londonderry · Bloody Sunday Trust · Museum of Free Derry · Parachute Regiment

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