Death announced of ‘inspirational’ Bloody Sunday campaigner John Kelly

Tributes have been paid to Bloody Sunday campaigner John Kelly following his death on Saturday morning “after a long battle with illness”.

Thirteen people were shot dead when members of the British Army’s Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside area of Londonderry on January 30 1972, regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles.

Another man shot by paratroopers died four months later.

Mr Kelly, whose brother Michael was shot dead after attending the event in Derry, previously described how he himself narrowly avoided being shot on the day.

The Bloody Sunday Trust said: “John was born in Creggan in 1949, the son of Kathleen and John Kelly, and into a family that would eventually become 12 children, nine sisters and three brothers.

“In August 1969 John married the late Margaret, and in their 52 years of marriage they had six sons, John, Michael, Emmet, Mark, Niall and Martin.

“John’s younger brother Michael, just 17 years of age, was the youngest of the 14 men and boys murdered on Bloody Sunday.

“John was there himself that day, witnessing much of the violence, and carried the body of his own brother to an ambulance and accompanied him to the hospital, where he was declared dead.”

Mr Kelly, a toolmaker, also worked for the trust and the Museum of Free Derry.

Tony Doherty, chairman of the Bloody Sunday Trust said: “I have lost a great friend.

“We have all lost a great friend.

“It is such sad time for all of us who campaigned for justice for Bloody Sunday, who fought for our loved ones for so many years.”

Mr Doherty described Mr Kelly as being “at the forefront of that fight”.

“John was always there for other campaigns and families as well, and I am sure they are all as saddened as we are at his passing.

“John was always willing to share his experience with others, and many appreciated his good advice and support over the years of their struggles. Campaigners for justice across Ireland have lost an inspirational figure.

He added: “We offer our deepest condolences to John’s family and friends, his sons and grandchildren, his sisters and brother. They have lost their father, grandfather and brother, we have lost our friend and comrade, but we have all been privileged to have known him and he has left a mark on all of us that we are all the better for. ”

In an interview about the day, Mr Kelly said the civil rights march in Londonderry was the first that 17-year-old Michael had ever attended.

He also said their mother had been concerned about Michael’s safety at the event, and called out to him shortly before he was shot dead.

Mr Kelly was honoured with a civic reception in 2024 following his retirement from the Bloody Sunday Trust.