The picture of a Bogside mural at the top of this Diary is partly a Provo embellishment of history. Father Edward (later Bishop) Daly did carry a white handkerchief as he was helping the wounded to safety under fire. But there were no Provo gunman offering their "protection" to the unarmed and wounded civilians. That was the time when the letters IRA were mockingly referred to as standing for "I Ran Away".

It is quite obvious in the picture that the armed man is a paratrooper, his shoulder patch is quite clear, wearing an anti-tear gas mask. To emphasise that he is depicted trampling on a bloody Civil Rights" banner.

He is also the more prominent and largest subject of the picture to emphasise that the paratroopers were the Active and Responsible Participants who loom large over all other persons depicted.

This mural is also an indictment of the CRA, as well as the paratroopers. Clearly showing them hiding behind a wall as others died, unable to protect the community, and only concerned with saving themselves as others stepped forward. the message from the IRA here is "This is what we, and only we, save you from"

keep to the Fen Causeway