Previously unseen archives expose the reason for Brian Nelson’s discharge from the British Army. The significant discoveries undermine recent reviews of the recruitment and career of Brian Nelson as a British Army agent within the Loyalist Ulster Defence Association. The secret files also raise serious questions regarding the British state’s responsibility for murder in the …
I have done my work in, friends: O, make an end// Of what I have begun Marc Antony had just fallen on his own sword when he said these words (1). It was just as dramatic and moving to watch Conall McDevitt fall on his. The man made an abject mistake and was man enough …
No Faith! Here is a before and after photo from yesterday’s Policing Board meeting which affirmed that it had no faith in the Historical Enquiries Team (HET). The Board pressed the Chief Constable of the so-called “reformed” Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to suspend all HET cases which have “investigated” – for want of …
The Irish Monsignor and the British Propagandist Whilst studying previously secret files in Kew National Archives, London, as part of my on-going research into my grandmother’s murder in the McGurk’s Bar Bombing of 4thDecember 1971, I came across a very interesting archive. At first glance it is a brief, quite non-descript information report from one …
Last night I attended an information-sharing event in the Balmoral Hotel hosted by Relatives for Justice and attended by families whose loved ones were murdered during “the Troubles”. Specifically, under discussion – if not close scrutiny – were the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), the Office of the Police Ombudsman (OPONI) and inquests. Experiences with these as …
Last weekend I had the pleasure to join my peers in the McGurk’s Bar Campaign for Truth on a trip to meet our great supporters, Cairde na hÉireann in Glasgow, Plains and Coatbridge, Scotland. This was my first visit but the other family campaigners have been many times. Nothing prepared me, though, for the warmth …
Today is the 10th anniversary of the murder of North Belfast teenager, Gerard Lawlor, who was shot in the back as he walked home from the Bellevue Arms. He was shot for no other reason than he was a Catholic and he was a defenceless target. His killers were never charged even though their names …
The Policing Board is to ask the Criminal Justice Inspectorate (CJI) “to carry out an investigation which will examine the relationship between the PSNI and the Police Ombudsman” following a complaint against the Chief Constable lodged on behalf of two NGOs, British Irish Rights Watch and the Pat Finucane Centre. The two Human Rights organisations had …
Press Release: CJI to investigate how PSNI deals with Ombudsman Findings Read More »
The McGurk’s Bar Commemoration Committee wish to extend their great thanks for the support that they have had in realizing Ireland’s newest piece of art, an astonishing mural-relief that recreates the actual bar. Without your help we doubt if the mammoth project could have been completed. As well as those we thanked on the night, …
McGurk’s Bar Commemoration Committee Give Thanks Read More »
Dia daoibh agus fáilte romhaibh, welcome to the families and thank you very much for joining with them tonight to commemorate the lives of those we lost in the McGurk’s Bar Massacre, 4th December 1971. My name is Ciarán MacAirt. I am a grandson of John and Kathleen Irvine. I am especially glad to speak …
