Tribute from US to a 'decent, peace-loving son of Derry': Paddy 'Bogside' to be laid to rest today

The funeral of veteran Derry civil rights activist Paddy (Bogside) Doherty will take place this lunchtime.

Mr Doherty (pictured) passed away on Thursday after a long illness.

Hundreds are expected to accompany his remains from his Westland Street home in the Bogside for 12.30pm Requiem Mass in St Eugene’s Cathedral.

He will be laid to rest immediately afterwards.

Numerous tributes have been paid to the 89-year-old.

Among them have been Michael and Mary Hanley, from Clearwater in the USA, who said Mr Doherty was a “decent, peace-loving son of Derry” who would be “sadly missed.”

In a message to Derry Now Michael said: “I first met Paddy down in the British Virgin Islands in the town of Roadtown.

“I, a Dubliner, was present doing the installation and commissioning work on the new automatic telephone exchanges.

“Paddy was working on the ‘Wickham’s Key’ project which involved the reclamation of land from the ocean for future construction.

“One day I was in the telegraph office talking to someone on the phone and when I left the building Paddy followed me out and asked if I was Irish and when I said yes he told me he was from Derry and that he had a wife and 13 children back there and was attempting to contact them via HAM radio, a project we both worked on together and which was successful.

“My wife, Margaret, and I had Paddy to our house on many occasions for dinner and to share stories.

“Paddy told me all about the defence of the Bogside and of the brutality of the Specials and the RUC regulars.

“His comment was ‘When the people who are supposed to protect you turn violent it’s difficult to know where or whom to turn to.’

“He also told us about Jim Callaghan’s visit to Derry and about the trips the defence committee made to Dublin.

“Paddy was a great family man who pined for his family all the time he was in the BVI. He will be sadly missed. “Our condolence to his family. May he rest in peace. RIP.”