THE stole worn by the late bishop of Derry Edward Daly as he led dying teenager Jackie Duddy from the Bogside on Bloody Sunday has been handed over to the Museum of Free Derry.
Photographs and film footage of Bishop Daly waving a blood-stained handkerchief as he led a group of men carrying the critically injured 17-year-old along Chamberlain Street have formed some of the most enduring images of Bloody Sunday.
As a priest in Derry’s St Eugene’s Cathedral Parish, the then Fr Daly became the focus of world attention when the images were broadcast and published around the globe.
Throughout his life as bishop and later in retirement Bishop Daly kept a picture of the young Jackie Duddy draped in the stole in his study. His blood-stained handkerchief was given to the museum some years ago.
Read More: Papal Nuncio pays tribute to late Bishop Edward Daly
Executor of the late church leader’s estate Fr Eugene Grahame said the stole was stained with the holy oils used by Bishop Daly when he administered the Last Rites to the dying teenager. It was also marked with sparks of his blood.
Mr Duddy’s sister Kay Duddy said the presentation of the vestment to the museum was a happy and sad occasion for her family.
“It was part of Bishop Daly and part of Jackie and it meant so, so much; it is unreal,” she said.
The late bishop’s nephew, Gerard who attended the museum presentation along with other family members, said his uncle had a bond with the Duddy family ever since Bloody Sunday.
“That day changed him as a person and changed the direction of his life until the day he died,” he said.
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