A retired Catholic bishop who went to the aid of civil rights protesters gunned down by British soldiers during Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland has died, the Catholic Church said.
Edward Daly, 82, famously waved a blood-stained white handkerchief as a symbol of ceasefire as he attempted to help a fatally injured demonstrator in Londonderry in January 1972.
Paratroopers had opened fire and killed 13 people. Fourteen were injured, and another was to die later.
Dr Daly had served in the city since 1962.
He was Bishop of Derry from 1974 until 1993, stepping aside after suffering a stroke. In recent years he has battled a long-term illness.
The clergyman was awarded the freedom of the city last year alongside his Church of Ireland counterpart and hailed the rich "tapestry of cultures" which made up his adopted home.
The cleric, from Belleek in Co Fermanagh, was a prolific writer and in latter years helped the dying in his role as chaplain at Foyle Hospice in Derry.
Bloody Sunday has been described as one of the catalysts of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, which left more than 3,000 dead and many others injured.
Civil rights demonstrators seeking one man, one vote and other concessions from the unionist-dominated government of Northern Ireland had gathered for a march in Derry.
At the time Dr Daly was a curate aged 39 at St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry.
He joined the march as it passed the cathedral en route to the city centre.
He was near John "Jackie" Duddy, 17, when he was shot by soldiers and anointed him and gave him the Last Rites.
Dr Daly and other marchers attempted to bring him to safety. The priest led the way with a handkerchief in his hand.
Years of controversy have surrounded Bloody Sunday and the decision of the troops to open fire.
Bishop Daly said: ''I felt a responsibility to tell the story of what I saw and what I saw was a young fella who was posing no threat to anybody being shot dead unjustifiably."
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