Tuesday 15th June 2010 was a momentous day for the families of the victims of Bloody Sunday: 38 years after their deaths, those shot dead and injured in Derry on 30th January 1972 were finally declared innocent. One film-maker, herself a witness to the killings on Bloody Sunday, has followed the families’ journey through the 12 years of the Saville Inquiry as they painstakingly pieced together the truth of that day. Bloody Sunday: A Derry Diary is a unique and moving account of the often shocking evidence uncovered during the inquiry from the point of view of the families of those shot dead.
On 30th January 1972 the British Army shot dead 13 unarmed civilians on a civil rights march in Derry, Northern Ireland. At the subsequent Tribunal of Inquiry, Lord Chief Justice Widgery exonerated the soldiers and described the wounded as gunmen and bombers, blighting their reputation in the eyes of the world.
In 1998 a new Tribunal of Inquiry was announced into the events of what became known as Bloody Sunday.
Bloody Sunday – A Derry Diary follows the course of the Bloody Sunday inquiry from the point of view of the families of the victims as they travelled between Derry and London over a five year period. The documentary is made by Margo Harkin, an eye witness to the events of Bloody Sunday who herself gave evidence at the Tribunal.
This strong and moving documentary gives another side to the story of that tragic day. Through Margo’s personal insight and sensitive interviewing techniques we are introduced to the people whose lives have been dramatically changed and impacted on as a result of Bloody Sunday. We hear many heart wrenching eye witness accounts of families and friends of the dead, and those wounded on the day. And the filmmaker joins them in court as those responsible are finally cross-examined about their actions on the day.
We hear about the main players from both sides and the evidence they gave to the tribunal. We also hear Margo’s own memories of the day and meet Eamon McCann and Don Mullan, who have both followed the tribunal closely. Bishop Edward Daly, who was also present on the day and did his best to aid the wounded, gives his account of the tragic events.
Bloody Sunday: a Derry Diary was commissioned to coincide with the publication of the Bloody Sunday Report. An unfinished version was broadcast by RTÉ in January 2007 to mark the 25th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. The intention was always to update it and transmit a final version when the Saville Report was published. This documentary is the only filmed record of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry from start to finish.
The film has been financed by RTÉ, ZDF (Germany) for Arte, the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, and the Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉireann.