A man whose brother was killed on Bloody Sunday last night said a commemoration parade in Scotland had narrowly avoided erupting into serious violence. A police chief also yesterday said he had feared the consequences if a large group of loyalists had managed to attack the parade in Glasgow. Eleven people were arrested on Saturday after loyalist protesters tried to disrupt the Bloody Sunday commemoration.Up to 400 loyalists turned out to oppose a parade to mark the 34th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Members of the British army�s Parachute Regiment gunned down 13 nationalists during a civil rights demonstration on January 30, 1972, with a 14th victim dying of his wounds in June that year. |
Gerry Duddy, whose brother Jackie was among those killed on Bloody Sunday, spoke at the weekend commemoration.Mr Duddy last night said it had been a frightening experience for those who took part, but praised the restraint of the marchers.�At one point, there were bottles, glasses and various other things being thrown at the marchers,� he said.�However, despite the provocation, there was little reaction from the marchers and this ensured that things stayed relatively peaceful. The organisers also deserve praise for how well the parade was marshalled.� |