Kate Nash stepping back from Bloody Sunday March Committee due to Ill health

An outpouring of good wishes has followed the announcement by Derry’s Kate Nash she is stepping down as chairperson of the Bloody Sunday March Committee (BSMC).

In a social media post on Monday, Kate revealed she had made the decision as a result of “severe ill health that requires plenty of rest”.

“I was diagnosed with heart failure about 18 months ago and I’m afraid one of the side issues is exhaustion. I do try to push against it but it is very hard,” she added.

Kate’s brother William was one of those murdered by the British Army on Bloody Sunday - January 30, 1972. Her father Alex was seriously injured. 

In an extensive interview with The Derry News, Kate explained she and her sister Linda [Nash]had founded the BSMC prior to the 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

“We formed the BSMC when the people who ran it up until 14 years ago decided to end it on the 39th anniversary. We decided we would take it up then. We did a little protest if you like at the ‘last’ march,” said Kate.

“Instead of following the march to the Guildhall, our protest was to turn over Rossville Street [towards Free Derry Corner, where the majority of those shot on Bloody Sunday were killed or injured] to let them know we disapproved,” she added.

“We felt strongly that we hadn’t had justice. Lord Saville had given his conclusions [June 15, 2010] and we didn’t agree. We still didn’t get justice. There were no soldiers prosecuted. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has simply played a game all these years, pausing and delaying. We were actually told a few years ago that it would not be prosecuting anybody. 

“The only one to date there is anything about is Soldier F. Soldier F didn’t kill my brother so that day they told us there weren’t going to be prosecuting the soldiers for our loved ones, my hope went. It was one of the saddest days. I can’t tell you. Everything left me - hope and heart. Everything left me that day. It was so sad. For the families of the people allegedly murdered by Soldier F, it is very important to get him into court.  

“Young Gerard Donaghey was another reason behind the formation of the BSMC because Gerard Donaghey was actually left with a stain on his name and character. I know how his sister and his family felt about that. 

“Mary was broken hearted. She had cancer at the time. She was broken hearted the day she heard that in the Guildhall. She was so, so sad. Basically what they were doing was trying to make one person responsible. They always look for a scapegoat. We know Gerard Donaghey didn’t have nailbombs and we would surely know the truth. We are totally aware of that and, hopefully, Gerard will receive justice in the near future,” said Kate.

Reflecting on the history of the BSMC, Kate said she was proud and received “great comfort” on the 40th Anniversary from Bernadette Devlin. 

She recalled: “I left my house that day to meet a friend who was going up with us. Who was in her home but Bernadette Devlin, who I didn’t know personally at the time, although I knew who she was and admired her greatly. She was standing there and she said to me, ‘You didn’t think I was going to let you do this alone?’ 

“I just cried. I tried to control myself but that lady that day actually gave me all the confidence I needed. She lifted the worry from my head. She took the nerves out of me but I was left in a state. I was very emotional. 

“Even then, when we got to the bottom of Southway, where you look back, I could see thousands of people. I can’t tell you how proud I was. I just honestly didn’t expect it but people came and they came in their thousands for the 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

“And they didn’t let us down either over the years. We have had our ups and downs but for me, every single year, I was so excited about what we were doing - even though it also comes with a lot of worry. Even though people were always really lovely to me, I used to be embarrassed, I lacked a wee bit of confidence. I don’t like to stand out in a crowd albeit I am an outgoing and friendly person,” said Kate.

Kate said she was delighted by the success of the BSMC’s annual weekend of events.

“It brings people and business into the city. It is a commemoration and a celebration. We get so many messages from people all over the world asking the date of the march,” she said.

Kate Nash's brother, 19 year-old William, who was killed on Bloody Sunday.

“We try to include the Ballymurphy families every year and they are always there. We have become great friends. The highlight of the BSMC for me is probably the people I’ve met, the people I had the privilege to meet,” said Kate, who added she would always be grateful to the group formed on the 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, which became the BSMC.

She said: “We asked for help from the stage and forward came certain people who had plenty of experience and they turned out to be the most terrific bunch of people.

“A very important member passed away in December 2022 - Stephen Garghan, a lovely, lovely man. We miss him so much because he played a really integral role in our group. We looked up to Stephen and Stephen had brilliant ideas,” added Kate.

“The BSMC will carry on and I will be there as long as I have breath in my body and the strength. I will certainly be there to support everything they do because I know everything they do will be okay and it will be good.

“They work very, very hard and they are lovely people. I would love to thank them all personally for the strength and courage they gave me over the years. My health at the moment means I get exhausted very, very easily but as long as I live I will definitely be supporting the Bloody Sunday March and I will always try to be there.”