Interview with Liam Wray
Q: What did people expect when they set out on the march that day?
Liam Wray: There was a great enthusiasm on that day in 1972 . At that time in Derry there would have been passive, civil protest and on that particular occasion it was against internment, which means arrest without trial. Imprisonment without trial at the government's discretion had been used specifically against the community we lived in. The impression of most people was, if we marched long enough and large enough, that we would effectively change the policy(of internment).
Q: Were you on the march yourself?
Liam Wray: I was.
Q: What was the atmosphere like on the day?
Liam Wray: Because of the sun and the size of the crowd which was extremely large, there was a general enthusiasm, a feeling that it was a success. The people were in a generally happy , carefree mood.
Q: When did you first realise something had gone wrong?
Liam Wray: I had been aware that a little rioting had been going on both at William St and the side of Sackville St. and because of the gas I had moved up towards Glenfada Park and while I was just at he start of Glenfada Park and I heard the roar for the army Saracens and as I looked behind me I saw them coming through the barrier of William St. and driving up Rossville St., one turning up to the left. I could hear gunfire. At the time I still didn't think it was live ammunition. Up towards the entrance of Glenfada Park, I saw 2 pieces of masonry, about 20 ft. high above, fall of the wall. I realised that this was live ammunition. I took refuge in Glenfada Park for a short period of time. I heard the shouts of fear and I could see people running and panicking. It was only when I saw bodies that I was aware people were hurt.
Q: What do you think happened that day?
Liam Wray: I believe it was a preconceived plan. I believe British and Northern Ireland political figures and the military wanted to deal a vicious blow to the civil rights. I believe it was designed to stop peaceful protest. Peaceful protest was a form of embarrassment to the British government, it was something they couldn't deal with in relation to other countries, where people saw that ordinary people were prepared to march against injustices, civil liberties and equality. The British government and Northern Irish government thought the best thing to do was to shoot a few people and fight them off the streets and put an end to the peaceful protest.
Q: What were your first thoughts when you heard about the New Inquiry?
Liam Wray: They weren't of great joy. This Inquiry was being conducted under the exact same act as the original inquiry was being conducted under. In view of the opportunities for abuse in that system. (On the other hand)I also realised it was an opportunity for people to be honest and sincere in bringing about a resolution in relation to the British injustice and the scenario that has happened for 26 years. I was very aware that although we were being granted a new inquiry that the act under which it was granted had failed previously. If that guided some in the future what the meat on the bones of that inquiry will bring and by the opening statement had Saville on April 3rd.
Q: What do you hope will come out of the New Inquiry?
Liam Wray: At this moment in time our family has sought no legal representation. We had dismissed doing so because we had no confidence whatsoever. The reasons being that immunity is an implicit part of this new inquiry and our family felt that immunity is a demolition of justice. Our family greatly objects to this fact and of late we have seen some of the problems that Saville has created for those families taking part. I suppose in general I understand and fully support the families in the inquiry and they believe they may be able to change things so that we have a fair situation and I hope that will be resolved.
I certainly hope we will get to the truth which the Wray family and a lot of people internationally know - that British soldiers murdered unarmed Irish men and attempted to murder others. That there was involvement politically and afterwards by the judiciary, the Lord Chief Justice himself. So what I would hope that the new Inquiry would do is correct that situation. To admit that our relatives were murdered and that there was a conspiracy of politics, a perversion of justice through the conduct of Widgery and his conclusions . That would be my hope, but obviously I would have great doubt.