Edward Daly: Bloody Sunday 'white handkerchief' bishop dies aged 82

The former Catholic bishop of Derry - who came to the aid of protesters on Bloody Sunday - has died.

Edward Daly was 82.

The image of Daly waving a blood-stained white handkerchief as one of the victims of the atrocity was carried to safety was one of the most famous images from the Troubles.

British troops opened fire on a civil rights march in Londonderry in January 1972, killing 13 people.

Another injured person died some months later.

Daly was 39 when the deadly incident occurred.

He was near John "Jackie" Duddy, 17, when he was shot by soldiers and anointed him and gave him the Last Rites.

Daly and other marchers attempted to bring him to safety, with the priest leading the way with a handkerchief in his hand.

''I felt a responsibility to tell the story of what I saw and what I saw was a young fella who was posing no threat to anybody being shot dead unjustifiably," he was once quoted as saying.

He was awarded the freedom of the city last year.

Bishop Donal McKeown, current Bishop of Derry, said: "It is with deepest regret that I announce the death, this morning, of Bishop Edward Daly, Bishop Emeritus of Derry."

"Bishop Daly served, without any concern for himself, throughout the traumatic years of the Troubles, finding his ministry shaped by the experience of witnessing violence and its effects; through this dreadful period he always strove to preach the Gospel of the peace of Christ."

"The bishops, priests and people of the diocese were blessed to have such a dedicated and faithful priest among them.

"May Bishop Daly rest in peace."