Diocesan News24 Aug 10

Church of Ireland Diocese of Derry & Raphoe Welcomes Police Ombudsman's Report into Claudy Bombing

The Church of Ireland diocese of Derry and Raphoe has welcomed the publication of a Police Ombudsman's report into the Claudy bombing of 1972.

A spokesperson for the diocese said "The indiscriminate bombings that took the lives of nine people in the quiet village of Claudy were a brutal act. The events of that day brought pain and suffering that cast a long shadow over the lives of many families in the Claudy area". The spokesperson continued, "We pay tribute to the dignity and persistence of the families who have long sought for truth concerning this tragedy. Our prayer and hope is that this report will make a significant contribution in a journey of healing for the scars of a terrible act".

Bishop Ken Good is presently leading a group of people from the diocese in a visit to Oberammergau. He said "My thoughts and prayers, along with those across our diocese, are with those who have walked a painful journey since that tragic day in Claudy. The truth surrounding these events should have come out at that time. It is right that the truth should come out now. Those who were so cruelly bereaved or injured on that day deserve no less".