‘A great employer’: Martin McGuinness pays tribute to James Doherty, his former boss

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has paid tribute to well-known local business man and Civil Rights campaigner, James Doherty, who died yesterday, describing his former boss as a “great Derry man, employer and dedicated Civil Rights advocate.”

Mr Doherty passed away yesterday afternoon at his Baronscourt home, surrounded by his family. He was 90.

Mr Doherty was chairman of the well-known Doherty’s Meats for whom Mr McGuinness worked as a butcher’s assistant up until 1971 in the company’s shop on Strand Road.

In a tweet, Mr McGuinness said: “Sad to learn of the death of James Doherty of Doherty's Meats. He was a great Derry man,employer & dedicated Civil Rights advocate.”

The first Doherty's butcher's shop opened in Derry in 1930, Mr Doherty joining his father in the family-run business in 1945 when the company began a process of expansion and development into processed beef and pork products.

Today, the company is managed by his sons, Seamus and Ian.

Mr Doherty was also a prominent member of the Civil Rights movement in Derry in the late 1960s.

He was a member of the Citizens Action Committee set up in the city following the landmark 5 October 1968 Civil Rights march.

A member of the Nationalist Party, he served as a councillor on the Derry Corporation in the 1960s.

A former chairperson of the board of governors at St Joseph’s Boys School in Creggan, he served on many education committees and was a member of the Knights of St Columbanus.

He was also a Papal Knight of the Order of Sylvester, appointed by the Pope.

Mr Doherty’s remains will be leave his home at 32 Baronscourt at 1.20pm tomorrow for 2.00pm Requiem Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Pennyburn.

He will be laid to rest immediately afterwards in the City Cemetery.

He is survived by his sons Seamus, lan, Thomas and Sean, and daughters Maire, Eibhlin, Filomena, Treasa and Niamh.

He was predeceased by his wife Phyllis and son Michael.