Closed by the British army four years ago sections of the ancient city walls of Derry have reopened.
The Derry Walls were built in 1613 to defend the city, and in recent years have been used by the security forces. Part of the historic walls reopened to the public today.
Mayor of Derry Jack Allen says that the Catholic community in Derry no longer see the walls as a sign of oppression. Both the Catholic and Protestant communities support the preservation of the walls.
I think the Catholic community see the walls as the historic part of the city.
The public now have access to a stretch of the wall between Magazine Gate and East Wall. The section of the wall between Bishop Gate and Butcher Gate overlooking the Bogside remains closed. Jack Allen has been assured by the army that this is just a start and other sections of the wall will reopen within the next two weeks. Thereafter, fortnightly meetings will take place and it is hoped that eventually all the walls will be reopened. The mayor is confident of peace in Derry and that the council and the churches are working together towards a peaceful community.
I am confident that 1975 will see the end of the violence and that Derry will be on the road to prosperity.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 12 March 1975. The reporter is Jim Dougal.
