ONE OF the 'unsung heroes' of the Bloody Sunday massacre has passed away.
Hugh McMonagle was present at the Bogside Massacre of 1972, when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on human rights protesters gathered in Derry, killing 14 people.
He was pictured in one of the most chilling and infamous images of the massacre, helping to carry the body of Jackie Duddy, who was shot dead by paratroopers, away from the scene.
Catholic Priest Derry Edward Daly was also pictured in one of the most recognisable photographs of Bloody Sunday, as he walked in front waving a bloody handkerchief as a form of surrender.
McMonagle was the man who had called the cameraman to watch over them in the first place, under the belief that the British Army would not shoot at them if the media was present.
Footage by Cyril Cave of the late Catholic Bishop of Derry Edward Daly waving a bloodied handkerchief as Hugh McMonagle and others carried the lifeless body of Jackie Duddy became the iconic symbol of Bloody SundayHis death has rocked the city of Derry, with Jackie Duddy's niece Julieanne Campbell taking to Twitter to share the news that "Derry lost an unsung hero of Bloody Sunday".
"Hugh McMonagle ... helped carry my uncle Jackie from the Bogside, led by Father Daly," she wrote.
Derry lost an unsung hero of Bloody Sunday today...
Hugh McMonagle (on left in 1972 pic) helped carry my uncle Jackie from the Bogside, led by Father Daly.
We'll never forget him or the others who risked their lives that day. ❤ With love & admiration to Bridie & his family... pic.twitter.com/zRc05zrgwp— Julieann Campbell (@CampbellDerry) December 10, 2020
"We'll never forget him or the others who risked their lives that day.
"With love [and] admiration to Bridie [and] his family."
Mr McMonagle did not often speak of the horror on January 30, 1972 until recent years, when he would sometimes talk to tourists at the Bogside about what had happened on that day.
Cannot thank Hugh McMonagle enough for his moving story to our tour today when we met him in the bogside. Hugh is pictured here far left helping carry Jackie Duddy. pic.twitter.com/yCG5z2p6Lt
— bogsidehistorytours Derry (@bogsidetours1) April 28, 2018
John Kelly, brother of Michael Kelly who was 17 when he was shot dead on Bloody Sunday, told The Belfast Telegraph that Derry was a poorer place without Hugh McMonagle.
Lovely moment @MuseumFreeDerry as Hugh McMonagle and Mary O’Neill, who are in the famous photograph and tried to save Jackie Duddy on Bloody Sunday, applauded by the audience - they are ‘unsung heroes’, says his sister Kay #CultureNight pic.twitter.com/PounQiWTVf
— Freya McClements (@freyamcc) September 21, 2018
"He was always the perfect gentleman and never ceased working with the families to try and get justice.
"If there was a function, a march or anything connected to Bloody Sunday, Hugh was there supporting the families.
"Hugh was one of the true heroes of Bloody Sunday, but he would have been the first to pull you up if you had called him that."
