EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier walked Derry’s Peace Bridge during a visit to the city today
MICHEL Barnier, the European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier walked Derry’s historic walls and was shown the Bogside area of the city where British Paratroopers opened fire on Bloody Sunday.
Mr Barnier was given a whirlwind tour after a meeting with businesses and cross-border groups in the Guildhall.
A guide walked with Mr Barnier and gave him a brief history of the city, pointing out the Bogside from the top of the city walls.
Thirteen people died when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in 1972. A 14th person died later.
All those killed on Bloody Sunday were later pronounced innocent by a public inquiry led by Lord Saville, and then-prime minister David Cameron said the killings were unjustified and unjustifiable.
During his visit, Mayor of Derry and Strabane Councillor Maoliosa McHugh welcomed Mr Barnier and his entourage to the Guildhall where he met politicians and business people from Derry and Letterkenny.
Mr Barnier later tweeted: “Delighted to meet @derrycc @donegalcouncil & listen to all those who were there to meet me. Great to see the sights & learn about the vibrant town of Derry.
“Discussed challenges of #Brexit w/ business & how the backstop can address them.”
Among those in the meeting with Mr Barnier before his short tour, was Dr Malachy O’Neill, Provost of the Magee Campus, Ulster University.
Dr O’Neill said Mr Barnier was very “forthright”, adding that they had a “very frank open discussion”, which he said was very useful to everyone in the room.
He said implications for research funding was discussed in the meeting, which lasted about one hour.
“I think he’s minded to come up with a solution that works best for the unique scenario that we have in this region.
“We’re as positive as we can be in, I suppose, what’s an overall negative situation,” he said.
Mr Barnier said he was delighted to be in the “historic and vibrant” city of Derry, and said he had already enjoyed a walk on the Peace Bridge.
Mayor Maoliosa McHugh with the EU’s Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier during a visit to the Guildhall today
