" data-large-file="https://madden-finucane.com/files/2025/11/mickey-mckinney-1024x683.webp" class="size-full wp-image-21983" src="https://madden-finucane.com/files/2025/11/mickey-mckinney.webp" alt="Mickey McKinney" width="1200" height="800" /> Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney
We can confirm that the message read:
"Justice has been done. It is a pity that the B-Specials did not shoot you all. Why do (sic) you live in the Free State? Good luck to the Parachute Regiment."
Ciarán Shiels of Madden & Finucane Solicitors, who represents the McKinney family and present when Mickey McKinney opened the letter, said:
"This is yet another hate message sent to our client. These messages are currently averaging around one per week and clearly reflect a sectarian and hateful mindset. The letter will be given to the PSNI in Derry for investigation and forensic examination."
The brother of a man killed on Bloody Sunday received a "disgusting" letter before meeting the President of Ireland this week.
Mickey McKinney, brother of victim William McKinney, said the sinister message mailed to the Museum of Free Derry on Thursday was opened as he was preparing to welcome Catherine Connolly to meet other families of Bloody Sunday victims.
Mr McKinney, who has previously received threats along with his brothers, Joe and John, hit out at the note which is "yet another piece of hate mail".
The McKinney brothers also received a number of abusive online messages during the Soldier F trial last year.
Mr McKinney told this newspaper that he more "pitied than scorned" those who issue such messages.
He also stressed the responsibility of political leaders "to refrain from public statements that create an atmosphere where it can appear acceptable to some to gloat at injustice and to attack innocent victims who merely seek justice and equality of treatment by the state".
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood branded the letter as "disgusting" and acknowledged that it is one of many that Mr McKinney has received.
He was among those present at the museum when Mr McKinney opened it.
The former SDLP leader said: "Mickey McKinney is a good man fighting for justice for his family and for all those murdered and injured on Bloody Sunday.
"This isn't the first time he has been threatened, but it is absolutely disgusting and those behind it are sick.
"It's hard to imagine the mentality of a person who sees grieving victims campaigning for justice and decides to compound that pain with faceless threats.
"People from every community in Derry and beyond will be disgusted by this and I know they'll stand with Mickey and the Bloody Sunday families."
President Connolly visited Derry during her three-day official visit to Northern Ireland, which concluded yesterday.
During an address in the city, she said "justice is still awaited" by the families of victims of Bloody Sunday.
Ms Connolly added that she was conscious that her visit to Derry came as last Friday marked the 54th anniversary of the massacre.
The Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside area of the city on January 30, 1972, leaving 14 unarmed civilians dead.
Last October, a former paratrooper, referred to as Soldier F for legal reasons, was found not guilty of the Bloody Sunday murders of James Wray and William McKinney.
Soldier F was also cleared of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person. He had pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.
Judge Patrick Lynch KC heard evidence across a five-week trial.
In a judgment, which lasted almost two-and-a-half hours, Judge Lynch said the evidence was not sufficient to convict the former Lance Corporal of the charges.
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