August 9th 1971, this date is firmly etched in the minds of many people in the Occupied six Counties of Ireland. It is the date of the start of “Operation Demetrius”, more commonly known as the start of internment.
Internment without trial in the Six Counties started on 9 August 1971. It was the Stormont Government’s military response to a popular uprising against a politically bankrupt unionist regime. Operation Demetrius saw thousands of British soldiers descend on nationalists areas, kick their way into homes and drag hundreds of men away to be incarcerated in prison camps without charge or trial. The message of internment to northern nationalists was clear: the Stormont regime and Westminster were not interested in finding a political solution to the crisis situation in the north. The unionist regime opted for military repression in line with the military mindset that was the cornerstone of the British and unionist governments’ strategy for dealing with northern nationalist aspirations for progressive change.
What a lot of people don’t realise is that this is also the
date on which a murderous spree, conducted by the Parachute Regiment of the
British Army commenced and finished 3 days later on 11th August. During this
three day period of selective slaughter, in Ballymurphy, Belfast, 11 unarmed
civilians were murdered including a Catholic Priest and a mother of eight (8)
who were both killed trying to help the wounded.
The families of the 11 victims of this senseless massacre
have, for the last 42 years attempted to obtain justice, they have been blocked
at every instance and denied the chance to have the names of their loved ones
cleared of any wrong doing. The British Army claimed that the soldiers returned
fire on IRA gunmen. How then could a priest be shot in the back? All victims
were forensically tested. None produced positive results for gunshot residue or
for even having held a weapon.
Why didn’t the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary) conduct an
investigation into the murders and why do the British government continue to
deny the families their right to a fair and impartial investigation into what
happened all those years ago? Why have the murderers not been held to account
for their actions on those fateful days?
Eleven (11) families lost loved ones during that period,
mothers, fathers and brothers.
They deserve justice, we can all help, even a message of
support will go a long way to show these families that they are not alone and
that we stand in solidarity with their cause.
Ballymurphy Massacre Timeline
The first of the killings took place on the 9th August in
Springfield Park. Bobby Clarke was trying to get kids to safety when he was shot
and wounded. People couldn’t get to his aid as they were pinned down by gunfire from the British
Army.
The second person to be shot, the first to die was the local
Parish Priest, Father Hugh Mullan. Father Mullan went to help Bobby Clark. He
was waving a white cloth, Father Mullan anointed the wounded
man and was then shot.
The second death was that of Frank Quinn who left his place
of safety to help others and was fatally wounded.
Noel Phillips was shot as he tried to find cover from the
gunfire. As he lay crying for help, a woman, Joan Connolly, a mother of eight
(8) went to his aid whilst saying, 'it’s alright son I’m coming to you.'
Joan Connolly was shot in the face. As she staggered around,
she was shot a further 3 times, As she lay on the ground, locals tried to help
her and were shot by the British soldiers. Daniel Teggart, a father of 13 was
shot whilst running for cover. He was shot a further 14 times while laying on
the ground.
Joseph Murphy was shot in the leg. He did not, like all the
victims, receive any medical attention. Instead he was taken to the army
barracks and severely beaten. He was to die three weeks later from injuries
received during the beating.
August 10th.
As he was making his way home on the Whiterock road, Eddie
Doherty was shot in the back by a member of the parachute regiment. As with all
the victims, Eddie did not receive any medical treatment and subsequently died
of his wounds.
August 11th.
Early in the morning of August 11th, John Laverty was shot
dead.
Joseph Corr, a father of seven (7) was also shot and
succumbed to his wounds on the 27th August.
The army account claimed that both men were armed and firing
at the soldiers. Ballistic and forensic test proved this to be a lie. But to
this day the British army version is the “official version”.
Paddy McCarthy was shot in the hand as he attempted to leave
the local community centre to deliver milk and bread. He continued with his
deliveries later on and was stopped and beaten by the soldiers. As a result
Paddy McCarthy suffered a massive heart attack and died.
John McKerr was the eleventh victim of the Ballymurphy
Massacre, shot by an army sniper. John McKerr died of his wounds on 20th
August.
The Parachute regiment committed the atrocities in
Ballymurphy. If they had have been bought to account would it have prevented
Bloody Sunday in Derry? The same regiment was responsible for 14 more deaths, 6
months later when they killed 14 civil rights marchers in the city of Derry.
The families of Ballymurphy have for far too long been
denied the justice they so rightly deserve.
What they are asking for, no, what they are demanding is, a
fully independent International investigation to examine all the circumstances
surrounding all of the deaths.
The British government to issue a statement of innocence for
all the victims and a public apology.
Surely this is not too much to ask for after 42 long years.
What can we do to help the families?
Have information nights to explain what happened in
Ballymurphy; sign up to the families’ demands for a statement of innocence and
a public apology.
Write letters of support and encouragement write to the
British government to support the families call for an independent
investigation.
- The 1971 Ballymurphy Massacre Committee. c/o Frank Cahill Resource Centre, 195 Whiterock Road. Belfast BT12 7FW.
- email; admin@ballymurphymassacre.com.
I have personally met with some of the families and to see the determination in their eyes and to hear the horror stories they relate made me realise that there will never truly be peace in the North of Ireland unless we help these people obtain closure, they are not asking for the world, they just want to
FREE THE TRUTH!JUSTICE FOR BALLYMURPHY.
Excellent post Barry a cara the Ballymurphy massacre became for many years an almost forgotten event,brushed under the carpet and hidden under an avalanche of brit inspired propaganda.those who carried out this bloody murder were probably the same psychopaths who later went on to carry out the mass murder in Derry, I remember well the horrific stories about those bastards and the brutality carried out in the Henry Taggart barracks on the edge of Ballymurphy. those bastards will never see the inside of a courtroom unlike republicans who even after the sellout of the so called "GFA" and the arms surrender ,still face imprisonment for troubles related offences,and quisling $inn £eind remain as dumb struck as Adams was when they fixed his arse ..
ReplyDeleteAny sign of government culpability and the curtain is drawn over justice. Omagh is no longer a stick for the government to beat its opponents with. As soon as dirty tricks began to come to the surface the 'full-time'whistle was blown by the referee, who just so happened to be the government.
ReplyDeleteThere will be a long wait.
It is terrible. The Army and British government need to be brought to justice for all cold blooded murders carried out. Though we all know it wont happen. Look how desperate they are trying to avoid an inquest to the Omagh bombing. No doubt in my mind that the British were behind that. Just as they were in the 70's with the bombings in North Belfast and Dublin.
ReplyDeleteThe brits had no other choice but to admit the atrocities carried out by 1 para on Bloody Sunday, It went world wide. They are now adamant that the same will not be given to the Ballymurphy Massacre. They don't want this out in the open because the same Regiment was linked to Bloody Sunday, That would mean a double whammy for The Brits, something they know that would be seriously damming of the Government, and , The 1st Parachute Regiment again.
ReplyDeleteThe Brits think by ignoring and rejecting a full public inquiry the masses will soon forget all about it.
That's why it should be kept to the forefront of everything else until and inquiry is held, or , The British publish an Apology stating all those shot were innocent, which would automatically prove they were murdered by the paras.
I doubt if any of those paras who committed those atrocities would ever be charged.
This brings back very painful memories to me,never mind the family's of these much loved innocent victims.
ReplyDeleteI posted about the Ballymurphy Massacre some days ago. Very painful
ReplyDeletehttp://eurofree3.wordpress.com/2013/09/10/the-ballymurphy-massacre/
I agree Larry 100%. The minute state forces are involved, it's a different set of rules.
ReplyDeleteThere is no question of there not being an open, public investigation. It's the right thing to do. It was a war crime. It was cold blooded murder.
If the victims families get a public inquiry, It'll be the same out come as Bloody Sunday. The Brits will eventually admit they shot innocent people dead, offer an apology, money..But no soldiers charged with murder. Call me Dave or some other PM will stand at the dispatch box and say something like .. this. Not one para jailed.
As I mentioned recently, if the British were playing by the rules, they'd simply hand over the complete unedited versions of the Stalker, Samson and Stevens reports.
Frankie
ReplyDelete'investigations' but time and pacify those SDLP types who SF have bent over backwards to out-do.