Barney was one of the 13 killed by British Security Forces on Bloody Sunday (another man died later, bringing the total to 14), when soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians taking place in a civil rights march in the Bogside.
Barney was a well-liked man in the city, with both Protestant and Catholic friends. He was known as a passive person, with little interest in political disputes, but after persuasion had joined co-workers on the march, intended to be a peaceful one, that was to take place from Creggan to Free Derry Corner.
Witnesses have said that he had gone to help an injured man and was waving a white handkerchief, holding his hands in the air to show that he was unarmed. Before leaving cover he had told those standing around him that he wanted to help the injured man because he did want him to die alone in the street. Witness testimony supports the theory that Barney, shot from behind, was killed by an army sniper shooting from the low wall at the Rossville Flats.
A joint funeral for the victims was held at St. Mary's, Creggan (Derry), followed by burial at the City Cemetery.
Barney was one of the 13 killed by British Security Forces on Bloody Sunday (another man died later, bringing the total to 14), when soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians taking place in a civil rights march in the Bogside.
Barney was a well-liked man in the city, with both Protestant and Catholic friends. He was known as a passive person, with little interest in political disputes, but after persuasion had joined co-workers on the march, intended to be a peaceful one, that was to take place from Creggan to Free Derry Corner.
Witnesses have said that he had gone to help an injured man and was waving a white handkerchief, holding his hands in the air to show that he was unarmed. Before leaving cover he had told those standing around him that he wanted to help the injured man because he did want him to die alone in the street. Witness testimony supports the theory that Barney, shot from behind, was killed by an army sniper shooting from the low wall at the Rossville Flats.
A joint funeral for the victims was held at St. Mary's, Creggan (Derry), followed by burial at the City Cemetery.