International human rights advocate and author Don Mullan, whose investigations into the “Bloody Sunday” tragedy in Northern Ireland helped expose the British government’s cover-up of the massacre, has joined DePaul University as an advisor and guest lecturer.

At age 15, Mullan was among the unarmed civil rights protesters and bystanders who were fired upon by British soldiers, resulting in 13 deaths, on Jan. 30, 1972. A hasty review of the incident by the British government concluded that the soldiers only fired after being fired upon. It was more than two decades later when Mullan’s own investigation and interviews with witnesses provided the basis for the best-selling 1997 book “Eyewitness Bloody Sunday: The Truth.” The book, later turned into an award-winning film, helped pressure the British government to re-open its investigation, which ultimately become the costliest investigation in British legal history.  Ultimately, British Prime Minister David Cameron issued an historic apology in June 2010 in which he described the events of Bloody Sunday as “unjustified and unjustifiable.”

Mullan, who also has worked on behalf of human rights and humanitarian causes around the world, including in Rwanda, South Africa and Brazil and with other civil rights leaders, including South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, will serve as a guest lecturer in a variety of programs and classes throughout DePaul. In addition to his work on Bloody Sunday, Mullan also has written books on other topics, including one detailing his personal struggles in life that stem from severe dyslexia.   

In his role at DePaul, Mullan will serve as special advisor to students and staff at the School of Public Service and assist with development of DePaul’s Peace and Justice programs. He also will work to help the university expand international internship and career opportunities for DePaul students and graduates. 

“I am excited to become part of the DePaul University family and for the opportunity to work with DePaul’s students and faculty,” Mullan said. “DePaul’s commitment to social justice issues certainly reflects and aligns with my life’s work.”

The Rev. J. Patrick Murphy, C.M., director of the School of Public Service, noted, “Don Mullan’s life and extraordinary achievements, as well as his triumph over his own personal hurdles, will serve as an inspiration throughout the DePaul community.”

On Feb. 7 at noon, Mullan will give a free public lecture reflecting on Bloody Sunday and the continuing struggle for human rights around the world at the School of Public Service, 14 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 1601, Chicago, Ill.

About DePaul

With more than 25,000 students, DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private, nonprofit university in the Midwest. The university offers approximately 275 graduate and undergraduate programs of study on three Chicago and three suburban campuses. Founded in 1898, DePaul remains committed to providing a quality education through personal attention to students from a wide range of backgrounds.