John Kelly, a prominent Bloody Sunday campaigner, has died after a period of illness, it has been announced.

Mr Kelly, who was from the Creggan area of Derry, was a founder and chair of the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign. His brother, Michael, aged 17, was one of those killed by the Parachute Regiment on January 30, 1972.

SDLP MLA Mark H. Durkan described Mr Kelly as one of Derry's "finest sons" and a "pillar of quiet dignity, immense courage and unwavering resolve" over five decades. Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy said that to understand the spirit of Derry, "they need look no further than John Kelly".

Mr Durkan recalled Mr Kelly's role in the 2010 Saville Inquiry report, which found those killed and wounded on Bloody Sunday were innocent. He noted that Mr Kelly raised his fist outside the Guildhall after the report was published.

Mr Delargy said Mr Kelly had dedicated his life to challenging injustice and had worked as an educator and volunteer at the Museum of Free Derry. He said Mr Kelly led a working class movement that took on the British State and won.

A eulogy by Tony Doherty, a fellow campaigner, recalled that Mr Kelly had been a teacher and had worked at the Museum of Free Derry, where he greeted delegations from around the world. Mr Doherty said Mr Kelly was largely responsible for bringing about the second inquiry into Bloody Sunday and for forcing the British prime minister to apologise.

Mr Kelly is survived by his sons and grandchildren. His wife, Margaret MacEnroe, predeceased him.

Mr Durkan extended sympathies to Mr Kelly's family, the Bloody Sunday families and all those affected by his loss. He noted that a minute's applause was held in Mr Kelly's honour at Derry City FC's homecoming event on Monday.

Mr Delargy said Mr Kelly's life offered inspiration and a challenge to continue the struggle for truth and justice.