Derry deeply saddened at the death of veteran civil right activist Paddy ‘Bogside’ Doherty
A HUGE crowd is expected to turn to pay their respects this weekend at the funeral of Derry civil rights activist Paddy ‘Bogside’ Doherty.
The 89-year-old died overnight at his Bogside home following a long battle against illness.
His Requiem Mass will take place this Sunday, January 10 at 12 3o pm.
In the meantime, Paddy’s remains are reposing at his Westland Street home from where they will be removed at 11.45am on Sunday for Mass at St Eugene’s Cathedral.
The father of 13 will be laid to rest immediately afterw Requiem Mass in the City Cemetery.
Mr Doherty is survived by his wife Eileen, seven sons and five daughters.
He was pre-deceased by his daughter Noreen.
Tributes have been paid throughout the day to the man just known throughout the city as ‘Paddy Bogside’.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness expressed his sadness at the news today of the death of Paddy ‘Bogside’ Doherty.
Mr Doherty, aged 89, passed away overnight following a long battle against illness.
The Derry politiican said Mr Doherty will be remembered by the older generation for his central role in the Derry Citizens Defence Association.
Martin McGuinness with Paddy Doherty
Mr McGuinness said: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of my good friend and legendary Derryman Paddy ‘Bogside’ Doherty.
“Paddy will be remembered by the older generation for his central role in the Derry Citizens Defence Association during what has become known as the Battle of the Bogside and the Free Derry era.
“But the younger generation will remember him as the driving force behind the many projects designed to regenerate our city and provide much-needed employment to hundreds of young people.
“The Inner City Trust responsible for the regeneration of the Walled area of our city will forever be associated with Paddy’s vision and dedication to his native Derry.
“Paddy’s enthusiasm for everything he became involved in made a lasting impression on all who had the good fortune to be familiar with him.
“He never missed an opportunity to promote Derry throughout the world.
“Of course while his loss will be felt by all who were fortunate enough to know Paddy personally it will be felt greatest by his wife Eileen and his large and extended family.
“I extend my sincerest condolences and those of my party to them at this very sad time.”
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan also expressed his deep sadness at the death of Mr Doherty.
He described him as a ‘lion of civic ambition and community ethic’ who had a “huge pride in his city, its hinterland and its history, and an even bigger heart for its people”.
As vice-chairman of the Derry Citizen Defence Association, Mr Doherty played a major role in the events of August 1969 which culminated in the Battle of the Bogside.
Paddy was also a leading figure in Free Derry in the years after it was set up.
Mr Durkan said: “I mourn the sad death of Paddy Doherty after an illness which he bore so bravely.
“The whole city will join Paddy’s family in their loss of a man of such warm inspiration and fond care.
“Paddy Doherty was a lion of civic ambition and community ethic. He was a true pioneer of methods of engagement and enablement which found wider practice with the development of the peace process.
“This was a man who could see problems but also recognised potential. His special ethic was to redress problems by releasing the potential, which was his working method in the Inner City Trust, during the Civil Rights years and founding of the Credit Union, the Derry Youth & Community Workshop and other initiatives and efforts he gave or lent himself.
Civil Rights activist Paddy Doherty with former SDLP leader John Hume
“Paddy had a huge pride in his city, its hinterland and its history, and an even bigger heart for its people.
“He had dreams which he could turn into schemes, all driven by his ambition for the city and people he loved.
“He was a natural transformer who used change to enable more change.
“He could marshal his rightful indignation into purposeful initiative and recruit involvement to make things happen.
“He mixed a sense of mischief with achievement summed up in the adage that it is better to seek forgiveness than permission.
“Paddy liked to remind me that I had called him ‘a prophet’ many years ago.
“Today, as we witness how the City Walls are a shared asset enjoyed by visitors, the renaissance of the Columba legacy, the vibrant renewal of heritage properties and cultural pulse in the Walled City, we should recognise that many of this prophet’s hopes have been realised in his own city.
“But he would also want to hear us urging for more so that the experiences of future generations could match his expectations for Derry and its citizens,” added the Foyle MP.
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