Submission to the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, concerning the shooting dead of sisters Dorothy Maguire & Maura Meehan by British soldiers, October 23 rd 1971, West Belfast Dorothy Maguire & Maura Meehan
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SubmissiontotheCouncilofEurope’sCommissionerforHumanRights,NilsMuižnieks,concerningtheshootingdeadofsistersDorothyMaguire&MauraMeehanbyBritishsoldiers,October23rd1971,WestBelfast
DorothyMaguire&MauraMeehan
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RelativesforJustice(RFJ)arepleasedtoworkalongsideSinnFéinMEPMartinaAndersoninsupportingtheMaguire/Meehanfamilyincompilingthissubmissioninrespecttothekillingoftheirlovedones.MartinaAndersonMEPhasenabledseveraldelegationsoffamiliesbereavedintheconflictinIreland,whohaveexperiencedegregioushumanrightsviolationsthathaveyettobeaccountedfor,tovisittheEuropeanParliamentsinBrusselsandStrasbourgandtomeetandlobbyMEPsconcerningaddressingthelegacyofthepastinIrelandandbetweenBritainandIreland.InparticulartheclearmessagehasbeenaboutaddressinglegacyforALLvictimsthroughthecreationofaninclusiveandindependentmechanismwithfullaccountabilityfromallactorstotheconflict.This,webelieve,canonlybeachievedviaanArticle2compliantinvestigativemechanisminwhichtheUKmeetsitslegalobligationsundertheConventionbyupholdingtherightsofcitizensbereavedtohave,forthefirsttime,independentinvestigationsintothekillingsoftheirlovedones.ThelegacyofimpunityforStateandStatesponsoredviolencehasalsobeenacorethemeofthesedelegationsgiventhattheUKgovernmenthasinvestedhugeresourcesandenergytopreventanyindependentscrutinyoftheirroleinhundredsofkillingsbyitsarmedforces;andindeedinhundredsofkillingsthroughcollusionwithillegalparamilitaries.ParadoxicallytheUKhasusedandcontinuestousealackofresourcesargumentfordelaysinholdinginquestsandconductingotherinvestigativeworkconcerningcontroversialStatekillings.MartinaAndersonhasalsofacilitatedmeetingswithvariousinternationalhumanrightsagencies,theCouncilofEuropeCommissionerforHumanRightsNilsMuižnieks,includinghisseniorstaff,andtheDepartmentfortheExecutionofJudgmentsoftheEuropeanCourtonHumanRightsthatsupervisesmembersStatesfollowingjudgmentsfromtheCourt.AsMEPMartinaalsosecuredavisittotheNorthofIrelandbyCommissionerMuižnieksinNovember2014whereheaddressedamajorconferenceonlegacy,humanrightsandArticle2responsibilities.1
1http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29941766
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SinnFéinMEPMartinaAndersonalongwithpartymembers&leadnegotiatoronlegacy,bereavedrelatives,NGO’s&humanrightslawyer(April2016)Annemarie&MichaelMaguire(nieceandbrotherofDorothy&Maura)picturedwiththeNorth’sjointFirstMinisterMartinMcGuinnessMLA(2015)&alsoAnnemariewithMartinaAndersonMEP(2016)
MargaretKennedy,daughterofMauraMeehan,speakingatanRFJconferenceonInternationalHumanRightsDay,December10th2014
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RelativesforJusticewasestablishedin1991bytherelativesofpeoplekilledbyBritishsoldiers,membersoftheRUCandbyloyalistparamilitaryorganisationsincircumstanceswherecollusionwithStateforcesisevidencedandsuspected.TodayRFJ’sholisticsupportandadvocacyservicesextendtothebereavedandinjuredofallparticipantstotheconflict.RFJaimstoprovideappropriatetherapeuticanddevelopmentalbasedsupportforthebereavedandinjuredoftheconflictwithinasafeenvironment.Itseekstoexamineanddeveloptransitionaljusticeandtruthrecoverymechanismsassistingwithindividualhealing,contributingtopositivesocietalchange,ensuringtheeffectivepromotionandprotectionofhumanrights,socialjustice,andreconciliationinthecontextofanemergingparticipativedemocracypostconflict.2RFJhassupporteditsmembersastheynegotiatevariouslegalandinvestigativemechanismsdealingwiththeirloss.Thishasinvolved:
• Documentationandanalysisofinformationrelatedtoincidents;• Publishingcasestudiesandputtinginformationinthepublicdomain;• Referringandsupportingfamiliestoengagequalifiedsolicitorsforlegal
advice;• Accompanyingfamiliestoattendtrials,hearings,inquestsandotherlegal
processes;• Supportingfamiliesandclientsinengagementwithinvestigative
mechanismssuchascriminalinvestigationsbythePoliceServiceofNI(PSNI),casereviewsbytheHistoricalEnquiriesTeam(HET),investigationsintocomplaintsagainstthepolicebytheOfficeofthePoliceOmbudsmanofNI(OPONI);
• Engagingtherelevantpublicauthoritiesandcriminaljusticeagenciessouthoftheborderinanallislandcontextconcerningconflictrelatedkillingsandincidentsoccurringinthatpartofthejurisdiction;
• EngagingwiththePublicProsecutionService(PPS)concerninghistoriccases;
• EngagingandmakingapplicationstotheofficeoftheAttorneyGeneralconcerninghistoriccasesforeitherreferraltothePPSorforfreshinquests;
• Providingpubliccommentaryonclients’andfamilies’perspectives;• Informingtheinternationalcommunityofthedifficultiesinvolvedin
holdingtheBritishStateanditsagenciestoaccountforthedeathsithascausedorfacilitated.
2Seewww.relativesforjustice.com
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IntroductionThefollowingsubmissionconcernstheshootingdeadoftwosisters,MauraMeehanandDorothyMaguire,byBritishsoldiersintheearlyhoursofOctober23rd1971,Belfast.Thesisterswerebackseatpassengersinacaratthetimeanddespiteclaimsbysoldiersthattheywerearmedandhadfireduponthem,evidencethattheywereunarmedis,inRFJ’sview,incontrovertible.MauraMeehanandDorothyMaguirewerewellknowntoBritishsoldiers.MauraMeehanwasthefoundingmemberandleaderoftheWomen’sActionCommittee(WAC)inBelfast.AtthetimeofthekillingstheMaguirefamilywereawell-knownandhighlyrespectedrepublicanfamilyinBelfastandbeyondwiththeirfatherbeinginternedinthe1940/50’s.MauraMeehanandDorothyMaguirewerealsomembersofCumannnamBan,thewomen’ssectionoftheIRA.Atthetimeoftheirkillingsthewomenwerenotonwhatwouldcommonlybereferredtoas‘ActiveService’onbehalfoftheIRAinthattheywerenotonanoperationalmissiononbehalfofthatorganisation.IndeedtheywerenotonanymissionotherthantoalertlocalpeopleofBritisharmyraidsonhomesintheirneighbourhood.ItwouldbenormalpracticefortheIRAtoalwaysclaimitsVolunteerskilledonActiveServicethroughofficialstatementssayingthattheywerekilledwhilstengagingenemyforces.Nosuchstatementhaseverbeenmade,evenwiththepassageoftime.TheIRAstatedatthetimeMauraMeehanandDorothyMaguire,whilstmembersofCumannnamBhan,werenotonActiveService,includingthatnoneoftheorganisationsweaponshadbeentakenfromitssecuredarmsdumps.ThesubmissionshouldbereadinconjunctionwithapublicationpennedbyRosaleenWalshin1999andsupportedbyRelativesforJustice(RFJ)entitledBridget’sDaughters(enclosed).ThepublicationincludesstatementsfromeightBritishsoldiers,police(RUC),RoyalMilitaryPolice(RMP),andtwociviliandefendants/witnesseswhowerealsointhecarwhenitwasfiredon.Afullcopyoftheinquestproceedingsthattookplaceamonthafterthetrialisalsoenclosedwiththeautopsyreport.
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ThepoliticalcontextofthetimeWestBelfastisapredominantlyCatholicareawithinthecitywithintheNorthmoreoverhavingareaspopulatedanddefinedaseitherCatholic(nationalist/republican)orProtestant(unionist/loyalist).Religiousandpoliticaltraditionsweredemographicallyseparate,withthatseparationbeingmoresoafterthepartitionofIrelandfollowingtheIrishWarofIndependenceagainstBritishoccupation.InthepartitionedNorth(NorthernIreland)IrishnationalistswereaminoritytotheirBritishunionistcounterpartswhogovernedoverthemthroughaoneparty(unionist)governmentwhereinequalityanddiscriminationwasopenlypracticedandencouragedespeciallyinrelationtohousingallocationandemployment.Internmentofnationalistsandrepublicanstootookplaceineverydecadesincepartition,thelastbeing1971.Catholicsweretreatedatbestwithsuspicion.InadditionensuingsectarianpogromsagainstCatholics,oftenledbyelementsofthepolice(RUC),becamearealityoflifewhenevernationalistssoughttoraisetheirplightortopursuecivilrights.3TheRUCwasexclusivelyunionistandover90percentProtestant.ThepeacefulCivilRightsprotestsof1968intheNorthweremetwithviolencefromtheRUCaccompaniedbyloyalistmobs.4LargenumbersofCatholicswereforcedtoleaveareasthatwereeithermostlypopulatedbytheirProtestantneighbours,orwheresmallpocketsofCatholicslivedonthefringesofProtestantareas.MostsoughtsanctuaryinareassuchasWestBelfast.However,evenwithinWestBelfasttherewasnoguaranteeofsafety.5AtthetimethiswasthelargestmigrationofpeopleinEuropesincetheSecondWorldWar.OtherssoughtsafetysouthoftheBorder.6BritishsoldiersweredeployedtotheNorthbytheLondongovernmentonAugust14th19697andwerebrieflywelcomedastheyprovidedimmediaterelieffromtheregularincursionsbytheRUCandloyalistswhohadenteredtheheartofWestBelfastshootingdeadseveralpeople,includinganineyear-oldboy,PatrickRooney,asheandhisfamilyhuddledintoabedroomintheirhomeforsafety.Manyotherswereinjured.However,thiswelcomesoonended,asthekeyobjectiveofthemilitarypresencewastopropuptheunionistregimeandassisttheRUCingainingcontrol.IntothisenvironmenttheIRA,whichuntilthatperiodhadbeenvirtuallyinactiveandconsistingofaDublinbasedleadership,wereunabletorespondtoprotectvulnerableareasintheNorthandwereridiculed.TheyhadalsosentthefewweaponstheyhadtotheFreeWelshArmy.AnewergenerationofpeoplesoughttodefendareasandjoinedtheIRA.However,tensionswithintheorganisationledtoasplitin1969andby1970theProvisionalIRAwasformed.83https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eag30rXgdU4http://www.museumoffreederry.org/history-burntollet01.html5http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/02_february/28/bombay_street.shtml6https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibhnhqB02A87http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/14/newsid_4075000/4075437.stm8https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provisional_Irish_Republican_Army
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ThekillingsofDorothyMaguire&MauraMeehanTheStreetsoftheLowerFallsarea,wherethekillingstookplace(CapeStreetafilmclipofthestreetfrom19599),arecloselyclusteredandverynarrowwithsmallandoftenovercrowdedterracedtwobedroomhomes,withoutsidetoilets,andgenerallyinpoorconditionbeingoriginallybuiltaroundthelinenMillsforworkersandtheirfamilies.Theyhavesince,forthemostpart,beendemolishedandreplacedwithmoremodernhomes.(Apictureofthehousesandareaisonpage77ofthebooklet).IntheearlyhoursofOctober23rd1971alargenumberofBritishsoldiers,totally7510,fromtheRoyalGreenJacketsregimentweredeployedinarmouredpersonnelcarriersintoCapeSt.andthesurroundingstreetsinthelowerFallsRd.areaofWestBelfast.(Mapcontainedwithintheaccompanyingbookletonthekillings–page74).OthersoldierswerealsopresentinRaglanSt.,LessonSt.,BalaclavaSt.,OmarSt.,RossRd,andsurroundingarea.ThepurposeofthedeploymentofBritishsoldierswastoconductraidsonhomesandpresumablyarrests.Thisusuallymeantthatsoldierssmashedthedoorsofhomesinastheoccupantssleptandthenransackedthem.Oftentimespeoplewerearrestedbythemilitaryandtakenforquestioningtointerrogationcenterswithinmilitarybarracks.Abusewascommonpracticeincludingtorture.ThecaseoftheHoodedMen11whoweresubjectedtoarangeoftorture(five)techniquesbytheBritisharmyandRUCduringdetentioninAugust–October1971forwhichtheIrishgovernmenttookthefirsteverinter-governmentalcaseagainsttheUKinStrasbourgisaninfamouscaseofabuse.12ThecaseisnowthesubjectofareferralbacktoStrasbourgbytheIrishgovernmentasnewevidenceuncovered13showsthattheUKsanctionedthetortureatCabinetlevel.14ThisiscrucialinformationthatwasdeliberatelywithheldfromtheCommissionin1976andfromtheCourtin1978thatoverturnedthefindingbytheCommissionoftorturereducingittooneofinhumaneanddegradingtreatment.TwomonthsprevioustothisOctober23rdraid,August9th1971,raidsonhomesacrosstheNorthofIrelandtookplaceinwhichhundredsofCatholics,mostlymales,wereroundedupandseveralhundredinternedwithouttrial.15Fearwaspalpable.InCatholicareaslocalpeopleincludingclerics,lawyers,andcitizens/communityactivistssoughttoorganizetodocumentevents,lendsupporttooneanother,9https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFoeP0vhjhE10StatementfromCompanyCommanderofRoyalGreenJackets,ChristopherCampbellDumphie,followingtheshooting11TheHoodedMenpublishedJuly1st1974bytheAssociationofLegalJustice(ALJ)Fr.RaymondMurrayandFr.DenisFaul,BritishtortureinIrelandAugust,October197112Irelandvs.UK(5310/71)[1978ECHR1]13http://www.rte.ie/news/player/prime-time/2014/0604/14http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/the-torture-centre-northern-ireland-s-hooded-men-1.229615215http://www.museumoffreederry.org/history-internment01.html
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andseeksomeformofredress.TheAssociationofLegalJustice(ALJ)wasparticularlyactive.ThecurrentChairpersonofRelativesforJustice(RFJ)ClaraReilly,aswasthepreviousChairpersonMonsignorRaymondMurray,werebothinstrumentalintheALJ.Womenalsoformedthe‘Women’sActionCommittee’(WAC)providingaidtofamilieswhohadrelativesinterned,assistingwithvisitstointernmentcamps,provisionofchildcare,providingshelter,accommodation,andfoodtorefugeesfleeingsectarianattacks,makingmealsandgenerallybeingonhandduringthecrisis.OnetacticofWACwastoalertlocalpeopleofthearrivalofBritishtroopswithinareasbyblowingwhistlesandbangingdustbinlidsonpavementstocreateanidentifiablenoise.Thisintheorymeantthatpeoplewouldswitchontheirlights,comeoutoftheirhomes,andinnumberssupporteachotherratherthanleavingsomehomesandfamiliescompletelyvulnerabletoraidingparties.Thisverypresencewastoalsohopefullydeterthroughwitnessesmoreserioushumanrightsviolations.Itwasalsotowarnofimminentarrests.Atanearbyhouse,inBalkanSt.intheClonardareaandwheretheMeehan’slived,therehadbeenapartygoingonwherelocalneighbourshadgatheredforagoingawayfarewellparty.RenownedBelfastsingerTonyMorelliandhiswifeKathleenweresettoleaveforEngland.JimMeehan,residentsingerattheTrocaderoClubinBelfast,afriendandneighbouroftheMorelli’shadalsobrieflypoppedintothefarewellpartyafterhisgighadfinished.AmongthoseatthepartywherealsoJim’swifeMauraMeehan,hersisterDorothyMaguire,Florence,Flo,O’RiordanandWilliam,Billy,DavidsonwhoalsodoubledasJimMeehan’sdrivertoandfromgigsandset-uproadieassistant.DorothyandMaurahadbeeninandoutofthepartyalternatingatpointsbetweentheMeehanhome,withthekidswhowereasleep,andtheparty,eventuallygoingbacktoMaura’shouse.Overalltheyconsumedlittlealcoholtakingonetoatmosttwodrinksintotalovertheentireeveningasconfirmedintheirautopsyreports.However,onhearingnewsoftheBritisharmypresenceMaurawascalledonbyFlo,bothofwhohadformedandledtheWomen’sActionCommitteeintheirarea(Clonard/Falls),andtheydecidedtowarnlocalpeoplethroughouttheareamoregenerally.Therehadalsobeenrumoursthatmorewidespreadraidsaspartofinternmentwouldthistimefocusexclusivelyonarrestingwomentobeinterned.InpreparationofsuchaneventthewomenhadrecentlyacquiredaClaxtonhornforalertingpeopleconcerningtheserumours.However,theyalsorequiredsomeonetodrivethemaroundthedistrictwiththehornsotheycouldeffectivelywarnasmanypeopleaspossibleoftheheavyBritisharmypresence.BillyDavidsonwascontactedandheagreedtodrivetheminhisFordcar.MauraMeehan,DorothyMaguire,FloO’Riordan,andKathleenMorellialldroveoff;Maura,DorothyandKathleenwereinthebackofthecar,BillydrovewithFlohis
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frontseatpassengerusingtheClaxtonwithherwindowdown.Itwasshortlybefore4am.AstheydrovearoundtheareasoundingthehorntheypassedthebulkoftheBritishsoldiershavingtoalsonavigatetheirwaythroughthemazeofarmouredvehicles16alongtheway,includinginCapeSt.Itwasagreedthattheyshouldgoaroundtheareaonceagaintracingthesameroute;beforecompletingtheretracingoftheiroriginalrouteKathleenMorelliexitedthecar.AstheyreenteredCapeSt.,havingpreviouslybeenthereandthesoldiershavingseenthemthefirsttime,soldiersthistimeopenedfireonthebackofthecarasitpassedbythesecondtime.BillyDavidsonlostcontrolandthecarranintoawall.HeexitedthecarandrealisedthatMauraMeehan,aged30-yearsandthemotheroffourchildren,andher19year-oldsisterDorothy,hadbeenshotandweren’tshowingsignsoflife.FloO’Riordanwasinjuredinthefrontpassengerseatwithminorshrapnelwoundstoherlegs,arms,face,headandlungs.However,shemanagedtogetoutofthecarandconfrontedsoldierswhereaftershewastakenintoahousefortreatmentbeforebeingtakentohospital.BillyDavidsonalsoconfrontedsoldierswherethecarhadstoppedatthejunctionofCapeStandOmarSt.callingthem‘murders’.Herecalledthatonapproachingthecarandrealisingthattwowomenhadbeenshotsomesoldiersapologisedsayingwethoughtitwasmen.BillyDavidsonalsorecallsasoldierwhowaspartofthetroopthatfiredpointinghisgunathimandthreateningtofireandthatthesoldierswhohadapologisedshoutinganordernottofire.17BillyDavidsonthenwenttoalerttheMaguireandMeehanfamilies.OnhearingtheshootingresidentsgatheredatthejunctionofCapeStreetandRossStreetjunctiononlytobealsofiredonbysoldiersusingrubberbullets.18Arubberbulletwasalsoretrievedfromthecar,havingbeenfiredintoitafterwards.Itisalsoknownthatthechargetofirerubberandplasticbulletsisquitelargecomparedtoregularfirearmsandthistoowouldhavecontributedtowardsleadresiduewithinthecar.16StatementsbysoldiersreferenceatleastfourmilitarycarriersandfourparkedcarsinCapeSt.17StatementbyBillyDavidsontotheRUC18Rubberbulletsaremadeofhardsolidrubberapproximatelyfour/fiveinchesinlengththreeindiameterandfiredfromflare-typegunsatspeedsofupto130/160MPH.Alongwiththesimilarplasticbullettheyhaveresultedin17deaths,includingthatofninechildren,andhundredsofseriouslifediminishinginjuries
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Picturedbelowarubberbullet.
FloO’RiordanwastakentothenearbyRVHhospitalafewhundredyardsawaywhereafterwardsshearrestedfromandtakentoTownhallStreetRUCbarrackswhereshewasformallycharged.Includedinthechargeswasattemptedmurderofsoldiers.DuringherinterrogationRUCdetectivesshowedhernewspaperpicturesofthebodiesofMauraandDorothy.HerclothingwasalsoseizedbytheRUCforforensics.Shewaslaterreleasedonbail.19Theimmediateaftermathofthekillings,misinformation&chargesagainstthesurvivorsoftheshootingWhentheparamedicsarrivedtheypronouncedoneofthewomen,believedtobeMaura,deadbutbelievedtheydetectedfaintsignsoflifewithDorothy.TheytookbothwomenbyambulancetotheCityHospitalwheredoctorsthenpronouncedbothdead.FromtheretheremainsweretakentoLaganBankRoadMortuary.20MauraandDorothy’sbrotherMichaelMaguireandJimMeehan,Maura’shusband,lateridentifiedthebodies.PresentduringtheidentificationwasHarryTaylor,aseniorRUCSpecialBranchofficer.21TaylorwaswellknownashefrequentedWestBelfastpriortotheoutbreakoftheconflictandknewlocals,includingrepublicans.HethenmovedintotheintelligencesectionoftheRUC’sSpecialBranch,whichby1971hehadheldoneofthemostseniorpositionsin.Taylor’spresencehasalwayspuzzledthefamily.TheBritisharmyPressOfficeandtheRUCbriefedthemediathatacarcontainingfourmenhadfireduponthemandtheyreturnedfireandthatanotheraccomplice(BillyDavidson)wasbeingsoughtbytheauthorities.However,BillyDavidsonandFloO’Riordan,andindeedthoseattheparty,andeyewitnesseshad
19StatementofFloO’RiordantoRFJ199920Statementsofparamedicstotheinquest21StatementfromMichaelMaguiretoRelativesforJusticeApril29th2016
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allknownthistobeadeliberatelie.Theyalsoclaimedthatthepassengershadfiredbombsfromthecar,butlaterwithdrewthatclaim.22ThenextdayBillyDavidsonattendedacommunitypressconferenceorganizedbytheCitizensDefenceCommittee(CDC)23atwhichherecountedtheevents.BillythenwenttolocalPriest,Fr.AlecReidandsolicitorPascalO’HarewhobothaccompaniedhimashepresentedhimselftotheRUC.BillyDavidsonwasimmediatelyarrestedandchargedon10countsincludingtheattemptedmurderof75Britishsoldiers,causinganexplosioninapublicplacebytheuseoffirearm,firearmsoffencesanddangerousdriving.FloO’Riordanhadtheexactsamechargesmadeagainsther.BillyDavidsonwasremandedintocustody.AsuccessfulbailapplicationwasmadehoweveroncehewasreleasedhewasrearrestedandinternedontheprisonshiptheMaidstone24,dockedinBelfastHarbour,whereheremaineduntilhistrialonSeptember25th1972.Hissolicitoralsopresentedtheclothinghewaswearingforforensictesting.Withsoldiersclaimingthatthepeopletheyhadshotweremales;thenclaimingthattheyweredressedas/likemen.However,picturespresentedtotheinquestclearlyshowedtheclothingofthedeceasedwasundoubtedlyfemale.ThecaseagainstBillyDavidsonandFloO’Riordan,includingthedeceasedMauraMeehanandDorothyMaguirebeinglabeledgunmenandthengunwomen,wasthattheyhaddrivenatspeedalongCapeStreetwiththebackseatpassenger/sfiringonsoldiers.CasenotsubstantiatedbyevidenceHowever,therewerenocartridgeshellsfoundinthecarorbulletstrikesexteriortothecarinthestreetoratmilitaryvehiclesletaloneactualbulletsrecovered25–becausequitesimplyitdidn’thappen.Thebrokenglassfromthebackwindscreenofthecarwasfoundonthebackseatandinteriorasopposedtobeingontheexterior,furtherevidencingthatithadnotbeenbrokenfromtheinsideinordertofireoutfromasclaimedbysoldiers.
Themakeofcarwasagreenfour-doorsaloonFordCorsair,whichhadalargerrear-bootfromthebackwindscreentotheendofthecarandthereforeglasswouldhavebeendepositedacrosstherear-bootlidincludingwithintherear-bootlidpanelgapsandwaterchannels,ofwhichtherewasnone.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnAnY1JAhrU)showsavideoclipofa
22OpenlettertoRoyalGreenJacketsCompanyCommanderChristopherCampbellDumphiebythelateGerardMaguire(attached)23LocalisedgroupsofresidentsformedtopreventincursionsintoCatholicareasbyloyalistmobsoftenassistedbypolice(RUC)andBSpecials(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Special_Constabulary)24BecauseofthevolumeofarrestsanddetentionsinterneeswerealsoheldonaprisonshipbyarmedBritishsoldiers–http://www.clonesfailte.ie/the-maidstone-prison-ship/25RoyalMilitaryPolice(RMP)andRUCinvestigatorspresentednoevidencetothetrialofDavidsonandO’Riordanthatsupportedtheclaimbysoldiersofshotshavingbeenfiredfromthecarorindeedfromanywhereotherthanfromsoldiers
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similarFordCorsairtogiveasenseofwheresuchbrokenglassdepositswouldhavenaturallybeen.ThismattertooformedakeypartofthelegaldefenceforDavidsonandO’Riordan.
PicturesbelowoftheactualcarwhentheBritisharmyheldapressconferenceandinvitedmediatotheirbarrackstophotograph.
EvidenceofsoldiersOftheeightsoldiersthatgaveevidenceatthesubsequenttrialtheyallclaimedtoeitherhaveheardlowvelocityshots,sawtheshotsbeingfiredfromtherearwindowofthecarafterithavingbeenbrokenbytheoccupantsinordertofire,toonesoldierevenclaimingthathesawBillyDavidsonexitthecarafterithadcrashedintothewallthenreenterthecarfora“…minuteorso…”andagainappearcarryinga“…pistol…”.Thesamesoldier,RiflemanRobertTaylor,claims
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thatthroughoutallthistimehehadhisguntrainedonDavidsonandcalledonhimtwicetoputthepistoldownclaimingthatDavidsonhadmadegoodhisescapeasacrowdemergedfromahouseblockinghisview.26However,thiscompletelyconflictswiththeofficialstatementofBillyDavidsonasnotedearlier.Givenwhathadhappenedandthemannerinwhichsomeintenseshootinghadjusttakenplacebysoldiersandtwopeoplelaydead,includingtheinjuredO’Riordan,inthecarthisclaimisanunlikelyscenario.Moreover,itfitsawell-versedpatternbysoldierswhoaftershootingunarmedpeoplesubsequentlyclaimedthataccompliceshadtakenaweaponorweaponsfromthesceneorthata‘hostile’crowdappeared.27InthestatementbyCorporalRaymondBeadonoftheRoyalGreenJacketshestatesthat:“…thebackwindowofthecarwasbrokenfrominsidethecar.Isawtwoflashesandheardtwolowvelocityroundsbeingfired.Theflashescamefromthebackwindowofthecar.Iwasabout10to15feetawayfromthecaratthisstage.Icouldseetherearwindowofthecar.Therewasnothingintheway…Ithenfiredoneroundroughalignmentattheleft-handwheelbaseofthevehiclewiththeintentionofstoppingthevehicle.Ithenpumpedfiveroundsrapidthroughthebackwindowofthecar.WhilefiringmyselfIgaveanordertofireandIsawariflemanonmylefthandsidefireoneroundandariflemanonmyrightfireafurthertworounds.”DuringthetrialofBillyDavidsonandFloO’RiordanBeadontoldthecourtthathe“…justopeneduplikeAudieMurphystyleandshotintothecar…”28Maura’sdaughterMargaretrecountedhowshelateraskedherfatherwhoAudieMurphywasandbeingtoldhewasadecoratedWorldWarIIheroandHollywoodcowboyactor–agunslinger.AutopsyreportTheinjuriessustainedbyMauraMeehanandDorothyMaguireweretothebackofthehead,neckandupperbodyregionsandinconsistentwiththestatementsofsoldierswhoclaimedthattheyhadbeenfiredonfromthebackwindowofthecar,whichtheyalsoclaimedhadbeenbrokenforthatpurpose,andthatonhearingandseeingthetwolowvelocityshotsbeingfiredimmediatelyreturnedfire.TheautopsyreportsdemonstratethatalltheinjuriesareconsistentwithMauraandDorothybeingseatedandfacingthefrontofthecar.Hadtheybeenfiring
26Statementsmadeby8soldiersformtheRoyalGreenJackets27BritishsoldiersandRUChavekilled367people;themajoritywereunarmedcivilians,ofwhich75werechildren.Inmostofthesecasessoldiersandpoliceclaimedthatthevictimseitherposedarealthreatorthattheywerearmedandthatthegun/swereremovedbyaccomplices.Manyofthosekilledwhilstarmedwerekilledinpre-planned,premeditatedambushesincircumstanceswhereampleopportunityforsafeandeffectivearrestwithintheruleoflawwasalsoanoption28StatementfromFloO’RiordanandBillyDavidson,MaguireandMeehanfamilywhoattendedthetrial
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thentheywouldhavebeeninakneelingpositiononthebackseatfacingtowardssoldierswithinjuriesconsistenttosuchpositioning.DorothyMaguirealsohadinjuriesconsistenttoherbeingshotfromherrighthandsideinaseatedpositionagainfrontfacing.Further,glassfragmentswerealsofoundontheentrywoundsofbothwomenandagainconsistentwiththeaccountsofBillyDavidsonandFloO’Riordaninthattherearwindowwasnotbrokenforthepurposeofshooting,theywereunarmed,andtheyposedabsolutelynothreatwhatsoever.29Examiningtheclaimbysoldiersthattheywerefiredonfromthecaralsoraisessomequestions;
1. IftheintentionoftheoccupantsofthecarwastoshootatsoldiersthenwhydidtheydrivethroughtheareasoundingaClaxtonhorn,assurelythiswouldbringunwarrantedattentiontothecarandoccupants?SoldierswerefamiliarwithWACandknewtheexactpurposeofthecaranditsoccupants;
2. Whywouldtheydrivebysoldierstwiceiftheyintendedshooting?3. WhydidtheyenterCapeSt.whichwassaturatedwitharmedsoldiers,at
leastfourarmouredmilitaryvehiclecarriersallstaggeredpreventingregularvehicleandcivilianmovement,includingfourparkedcars?
4. Whywouldtheyfireonsoldiersfromtherearofthecarwhentheystillhadtopasssoldierswhowerepositionedaheadofthemandwhofiredfromeachsideastheypassed?(Notingtheautopsyreports&soldiersstatementsfromtworiflemen);
5. Whywouldtheyusetheirownregisteredcarforsuchanattackasthiscouldlaterbetraced,ifitevenmanagedtogetaway?
6. Whywouldtheydrivewiththecarlightson?7. Whywouldtheyengageinanyoftheactivityclaimedbysoldiers,asthis
quiteobviouslywouldonlyeverhavehadoneoutcome?Itisillogicalandmakesnosensewhatsoever.
LeftinsetofpictureisaBritisharmy‘pig’carrier.Therewerefourofthesepigs,fourparkedcars,and75armedsoldiersinCapeSt.atthetimeoftheshooting.ThestreetpicturedissimilartoCapeSt.butslightlywider.Neverthelessthisgivesasenseofproportionandperspective.29AutopsyreportbythethenstatepathologistProf.JCarsonanddatedOctober23rd1971.ItisunclearifthiswasmadeavailabletothetrialofDavidsonandO’Riordan,September1972.ItwashoweveravailabletothesubsequentinquestNovember1972
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Destructionoflargestforensicandballisticexhibit/evidenceTheBritisharmylatertowedthecarbacktotheirmilitarybarracksatAlbertStreetMill.Notingthatthiscarwasacrucialforensicandballisticexhibitinashootingthatclaimedtwolivesitwaslatermysteriouslyfoundinanearbyloyalistareawhereitwasburntoutaspartofaloyalistbonfire.Andwithnoopportunityforindependentforensictestingtheclothingofbothsurvivorsandthedeceasedwaslaterdestroyed.TheTrialofBillyDavidsonandFloO’RiordanAtthesubsequenttrialofBillyDavidsonandFloO’Riordan(September25th–27th1972,Belfast),towhichtheeightsoldiers,membersoftheRoyalMilitaryPolice(RMP)andtheRUCdetectivesallgaveevidence,thetrialjudgedismissedallthechargesagainstDavidsonandO’Riordanwithexceptionofdangerousdriving.Thejudgemadenomentionoftheconductofsoldiersorthattheevidencepresentedbythemraisedseriouscontradictionswhencomparedagainsttheforensicandballisticevidence.ThetrialjudgesentencedDavidsonandO’Riordantotheexactamountoftimeeachhadservedonremandpriortothetrial.TheInquestNoneofthesoldiersappearedattheinquest.Theirstatementswerereadintotherecordandtherewasnoopportunityforlawyersforthenextofkintoquestionthemastotheirevidence.BillyDavidsonandFloO’Riordanwerenotcalledtogiveevidenceandnocivilianwitnesseswerecalledupon.Theproceedingsdidnotaddressalloftheevidence;nottheevidenceofthesoldiersascomparedtotheforensicandballisticevidenceandautopsyreports;itdidnothearfromanyindependentexpertwitnessesconcerningtheautopsyreports;theexaminationofthecar;positioningofthemilitaryvehicles,parkedcars;impactdamageofthecarastotheallegedspeeditwasdrivingat.Noneoftheinconsistencieswereaddressed.Theproceedingslastedafewhoursoverall.ForensicevidencequestionableVictorBeavis,aforensicscienceofficerfortheState,providedareportonhisfindingstoinquest.Hisevidencewasthattestsforleadresiduetakenfromswabsofthehandsofthedeceased,indicatingthatMauraandDorothyfiredaweapon/s,waspositive.However,thetestswerecarriedoutamemberoftheRUConOctober23rdandnotpresentedtoBeavisuntilthe25th.Formanythisinitselfwouldcallintoquestiontheauthenticityofthetestandunderanyordinarycircumstancewouldnotstanduptoanyproperjudicialscrutiny.TheOmaghBombtrialprovidesoneexampleinwhichmembersoftheRUCSpecialBranchhadaforensicscientist,FionaCooper,changeherevidence
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inordertotryandsecureaconviction.30ThisraisesquestionsastothepresenceofseniorRUCSpecialBranchofficer,HarryTaylor,atthemortuarywhenMichaelMaguireandJimMeehanarrivedtoidentifythebodies.Anotherexampleoftamperingwithevidencealsoemergerecentlyduringthemuch-delayedinquestintotheloyalistmurderof67year-oldRoseanneMalloninAugust1994whenitwasrevealedthatSpecialBranchalsohadasecretiveforensicsandballisticsgroupattachedtoit.KnownastheWeaponsandExplosivesResearchCenter(WERC)ithaddeliberatelyprovidedfalseevidenceonaweaponusedtokillMs.Mallon,andwhichalsoinjuredhersister-in-lawinthesameattackontheirhome.31ThroughWERCthePSNItoldtheinquestthattheweaponusedintheattackhadnoprevioususe.Asitturnedouttheweapon,alongwithanotheralsofoundafterwards,hadaprolifichistoryin19killingsbyloyalistsintheEastTyroneareaandtwoattemptedkillings.AformerpoliceofficerfromEnglandwhohadexaminedthesecaseswhilstworkingattheHistoricalEnquiriesTeam(HET)calledthecoronerwhenheheardaBBCnewsreportfromtheinquestabouttheweaponhavingnoprevioushistory.32ApartfromhowthetestswereconductedthereisalsothematterofstoragepriortopassingthesamplestoBeavisincludingwhytherewasadelayoftwodays.Further,thereisalsothematterofcontaminationandthattheleadresiduebeingpresentisasequallyexplainedasbeingairbornewithintheconfinedspaceofthecarfromtheshotsfiredintoit;ontheclothingtooafterbeingshot;andnotexcludingthatthesoldiersthatfiredshotsmayhaveeitheraccidentallyordeliberatelyplacedtheirhandsontothedeceasedthustransmittingresidue.Noneofthiswasexplored.Forexamplehadtheparamedicsbeenswabbedtheytoowouldhavepresumablytestedpositive.Residue,includingtheabovefactors,wasacrucialmatterintermsoftheBloody(BSI)SundayInquirywherealloftheseareasweredealtwithatlength.ItwasacceptedintheBSIthatallofthedeceased,despitebeinglabeledgunmenbysoldiersandtestingpositivewiththesametests,hadnotinfacthandledanyweapons.Sufficetosaythatithasbeenestablishedthatthemethodologyinwhichsuchtestswereconducted,includingtheoutcomes,arenowrecognizedasnothavingcredibilityandasbeingflawed.InrespecttoMauraandDorothythematterisinpartdealtwithinthebookletBridget’sDaughtersfrompages101-107.
30http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/irish_news/arts2007/sep4_questions_left_unanswered_Omagh.php31http://relativesforjustice.com/its-the-collusion-question-in-mallon-inquest/32http://www.tyronetimes.co.uk/news/tyrone-news/roseann-mallon-inquest-vital-information-only-being-drip-fed-1-5716406
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ItisalsoworthnotingthatduringthetrialofBillyDavidsonandFloO’Riordan,andindeedtheinquest,nocivilianwitnesseswerecalleddespitenumerouswitnessesbeingpresent.Manyofthesewitnessesgaveaccountsthatcontradictedtheaccountofsoldiers.Civilianwitnessesalsoclaimedthattheyheardonlytheshotsfiredbysoldiers.ThecoronialsystemintheNorthiscompletelydifferenttothatinEnglandandWaleswhereasinthesetwopartsofthesamejurisdictionthecoronermustcallallwitnessesandinterestedpartiesinordertofullyexaminenotjusttheactualcauseofdeathbutalsothefullcircumstancessurroundingadeath.InEnglandandWalesforexampleajury,oracoronersittingwithoutajury,canrecordavarietyofeightverdictstoincludeunlawfulkilling.IntheNorthaverdictofunlawfulkillingisnotavailabledespitealmost400killingsbysoldiersandpoliceinthreedecadesofconflict.In1971theRoyalMilitaryPolice(RMP)tooktheleadinvestigativerolehavingfullresponsibilityforconductinginvestigationsintoshootingsbysoldiers,assistedbytheRUCScenesofCrimeOfficers(SOCO).However,wefindthatsoldierswerenotquestionedundercaution.Theywereoftenquestionedaspartofagroupandaswitnessesratherthanpotentialsuspectswherefatalitiesoccurred.TheroleoftheRMPwassimplytorecordinformallyaccountsbysoldiersofwhathappened.ItemergedduringtheBloodySundayInquiry(BSI)thatthispositionwasbyagreementbetweentheRUCChiefConstableandtheGeneralOfficerCommandingtheBritisharmyintheNorthandthatithadexistedfromearly1970tolateNovember1972.TheagreementmeantthattheRUConlydealtwithcivilianwitnesses.However,solicitorsrepresentingthefamilieskilledonBloodySunday,Madden&Finucane,subsequentlylearnedthatthearrangementcontinueduntilSeptember1973bywhichtimeBritishsoldiershadkilledover150people.Giventheseconflictingdatesitisquitepossiblethatitcouldhavecontinuedbeyondthedatesprovided.TheevidenceofanRMPsoldiertotheBloodySundayInquirysummeditupasfollows:“Itwasnotaformalprocedure.Ialwaysworecivilianclothingandthesoldierwasusuallyrelaxed.Weusuallydiscussedtheincidentoversandwichesandtea.”33Thereasongivenretrospectivelybypolicefornotinvestigatingfatalshootingsbysoldiers,despitehavingpoliceprimacyovertheBritisharmy,wasbecausenoone,thatisafamilymemberbereaved,madeanactualformalcomplainttothepoliceatthetimeoftheirlovedonebeingkilled;theonusrestingonthenextof
33WitnessesINQ2052,INQ1831&INQ3.Afulltranscriptoftheirevidenceisavailableathttp://www.bloody-sunday-inquiry.org.uk
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kinandnotthepolice.ThispolicythatalsoaffectedtheMeehanandMaguirefamiliesisaltogetherinexcusable.ThereareonlyfourcategoriesthatcanberecordedbyaninquestintheNorth;naturalcauses;diedasaresultofaccident/misadventure;byhis/herhand(whilstthebalanceofhis/hermindwasdisturbed);executionordeathsentence;andanopenverdict,wherenoneoftheabovecanbefound.TheinquestintothekillingsofMauraMeehanandDorothyMaguirereturnedanopenverdict.AusefuldocumentbytheCommitteeontheAdministrationofJustice(CAJ)publishedin1992oninquestsprovidesamorecomprehensiveoverview.34RelativesforJusticebelievesthatafreshinquestintothekillingsshouldbeheldandalongwiththefamilyareconsideringamakingaSection14ApplicationtotheNorth’sAttorneyGeneral(AGNI)toconsiderwhetherornottodirectanewinquest.TheAGNIwasappointedonMay24th2010followingtheenactingoftheJusticeAct(NorthernIreland)2002followingthedevolutionofcriminaljusticeandpolicingtothedevolvedExecutive.35
ApictureofthefuneralofMauraMeehanpreparingtoleavethefamilyhomeSurvivorsandtheirfamiliestargetedDisturbinglysixmonthsafterthekillingsFloO’Riordan’s13year-oldsonSeanwasshotdeadbyBritishsoldiersnotfarfromCapeSt.onMarch23rd1972.WhileonremandBillDavidson’sbrother,AnthonyDavidson,wasshotdeadby
34http://www.caj.org.uk/files/2013/02/26/No._18_Inquests_and_Disputed_Killings_in_NI,_January_1992_.pdf35https://www.attorneygeneralni.gov.uk
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loyalistparamilitariesathishomeinClovellyStreet,WestBelfast,July20th1972.Soldierswouldtaunthismotheraboutthekillingandthatthey’dgetherotherson.In1975therewasanassassinationattemptonBillyDavidsonathisplaceofemploymentbyloyalistswhoshothimseveraltimes.However,alocaldoctorfromanearbygeneralpracticesurgerywasquickonthesceneandhispromptassistanceundoubtedlysavedhislife.36SubsequentinvestigationsintothekillingsIn2006thePSNI,whichreplacedtheRUCaspartofthepeaceagreementof1998,andtheNorthernIrelandOffice(NIO)37setuptheHistoricalEnquiriesTeam(HET)38toconductinvestigationsintounsolvedkillingsduringtheconflict.RelativesforJusticesupportedthedaughterandsonofMauraMeehantoengagetheHETconcerningthekillings;MichaelandAnnemarieMaguire,anieceofthetwowomen,alsoengagedtheHET.Thefamilyfeltthatthismightpotentiallyprovideforthefirsttimeeveraproperpoliceinvestigationintothekillings.InmeetingsHETinvestigatorsspokefranklyabouttheirfindingsexpressingtheviewthatMauraandDorothyweremurderedbutthatthis,theirfindings,wouldneverappearinthefinalReviewSummaryReport(RSR).39Theirhonestywasappreciated.Itwasthefirsttimeanyoneofficialhadeverspokentothemaboutthekillings.Furthermoreinlate2011MargaretMeehanreceivedaletterfromtheHETstatingthatthereportwascompletedanddueforrelease.However,thiswasthendelayedwithoutreason.Margaretwasfurthertoldthatoneofthereasonsforthedelaywasduetothedistressingnatureofthefindings.Thereportwasthenwithheldfromthefamilyandnotreleased.40Fromregular‘offtherecord’conversationsRFJstaff41andfamilieshadwithgenuineofficerswithintheHETconcerningwhattheyuncoveredinnumerousStatekillingsitwasclearthatthefacts–thetruth-wasbeingcoveredup.NotingthekillingofAnthonyDavidsonandtheattackonBillyDavidsonthesamewasalsotrueofkillingsinvolvingcollusionbyStateforceswithillegalparamilitaries.
36StatementbyBillyDavidsontoRelativesforJusticepriortothepublicationofBridget’sDaughters199937OfficialBritishgovernmentofficethatgovernedtheNorthunderdirectrulefromLondonfromMarch30th1972untilthedevolvedgovernmentofSeptember2nd1999.Directrulewassuspendedin1972byLondonendingtheunionistregimethatessentiallyrespondedwithviolencefollowingcivilrightsmarches38BritishSecretaryofStatePaulMurphyfirstannounced£32millionforthecreationoftheHistoricalEnquiriesTeaminMarch2005.TheHETbeganitsworkin2006http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4636634.stm39StatementbyMichaelandAnnemarieMaguiretoRFJApril29th2016–suchdisclosuresbyordinarydetectivesfromEnglandwhoworkedattheHETwascommonplaceinmeetingswithfamiliesatwhichRFJalsoattended40CorrespondenceformtheHETtoMargaretMeehan(copyenclosed)&telephoneconversationsthroughoutthetimeframewithoriginalinvestigators41CaseworknotesofconversationswithHETstaffonrecordwithRFJ
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In2012theHETdecidedtoquashitsoriginalfindingsintothekillingsofMauraandDorothyandtoconducta‘fresh’reviewofthekillings;importantlytheyappointeda‘newteam’.Thesoldiersresponsibleforthekillingsrefusedtocooperatewiththereview.NoHETreportwaseverprovided.HETfailings&HMICfindingsIn2012HerMajesty’sInspectorateofConstabularies(HMIC)wascalledintoexaminetheHETfollowingtheinterventionoftheNIPolicingBoardtoconductanexaminationintotheirworkingpracticeandpolicies.RFJhadbeenhighlightingconcernsofbiasandalackofindependencebyHETconcerninginvestigationsintokillingsbytheBritisharmy.42Lawyersrepresentingfamiliesalsobegantoraiseconcerns.Anacademicreport43hadleftthePolicingBoardinnodoubtandtheChiefConstablehadnoalternativeotherthantocomplywiththeBoard’srequestasdidtheDepartmentofJustice(DOJ).44ThisexaminationwasconductedatatimewhenRFJweresupportingtwokeycases,thekillingofStanCarberry45byBritishsoldiersandofteenagerGerardGibsonalsobyBritishsoldiers,bothinWestBelfast.BothfamiliessoughtleaveintheBelfastHighCourtbywayofjudicialreviewtochallengethefailurebytheHETtoeffectivelyinvestigatethesekillingsincludingafailuretointerviewcivilianwitnesseswhohadnowcomeforward.46IntheGibsoncaseaformerRUCdetectiveinvolvedintheoriginalinvestigation,andnotmadeknowntothefamily,conductedtheHETreviewofthekilling.Thecasesweresymptomaticofwidersystemicfailings.LawyersforthePSNIandNIOsoughttomisleadtheleavehearingsbyrespondingtothechallengeswithpromisestomeetthefamilies,addressandtakeonboardtheirconcerns.OfcourseoncetheyavertedjudicialscrutinytheymerelycontinuedtodelayandwithplansforthecourttokeepunderreviewtheHETcommitmentstheHMIChadbythisstagereporteditsfindings,July2013.Thetwofamilieswerevindicated.
42NotingthattheoversightoftheHETrestedwithseniorPSNIofficers,someofwhomhadbeenpreviouslyinvolvedincontroversialpoliceunitsresponsibleforkillingsandcollusionincludingthatretiredRUCofficersconstitutedthebulkofHETstaff,RFJpublishedapamphletontheHETandneedforproperindependentinvestigationsentitled‘AnotherBucketofWhitewash’,August200643http://uir.ulster.ac.uk/2459/1/Law_and_Social_Challenges_2009.pdf44http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/our-work/specialist-inspections/inspections-of-the-police-service-of-northern-ireland/-http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/publications/hmic-inspection-of-the-historical-enquiries-team/-http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/news/news-feed/police-service-northern-ireland-improvements-still-required-over-the-way-legacy-investigation-work-is-carried-out/45http://belfastmediagroup.com/hope-builds-as-eyewitnesses-to-brutal-killing-step-forward/-http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/northern-ireland-news/legal-bid-over-troubles-killings-1-633937746http://relativesforjustice.com/family-of-16yr-old-victim-of-british-army-bring-het-to-court/
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InsummarytheHMICfindingswerethattheHEToperatedapolicypracticethatwasillegalinlawwhenconcerningitsdifferentialapproachtoinvestigatingkillingsbythemilitarywhencomparedtootherkillings.Itstatedthattheapproachtokillingsbysoldierswastoalsotreatthesekillingslessfavouably.47ConsequentlytheHETwaseventuallycloseddown.ThereportintothekillingsofMauraandDorothyhasneverbeenpublisheddespiterequestsandmeetingswithseniormembersofthePSNI.48TheMaguire/MeehanfamilyhasnotreceivedanyinformationconcerningthefindingsoftheoriginalHETreportnoristhereanyindicationthattheyintendtomakeitavailable.PosttheHETthePSNIthenbecamecriticaloftheHETclaimingtheywere‘unprofessional’andthatassuchthey’dhavetorewritereportsbeforemakingthempublic,ifatall.RFJandfamiliesfeelthisisaconvenientapproachinconcealingwhatsomegenuineofficersdidfindpriortothemhavingtogoorbeingremovedfromcasesbyHEThierarchyincludingthoseinauthoritywithinthePSNIwhohadmanagerialanddecision-makingoversightoftheHET.Politicisinghumanrightsviolations&legalobligationsCurrentlythegeneralenvironmentconcerninglegacyandhowthepastisdealtwith,hasexperiencedsetbackaftersetbackwithseveralkeyinitiativesfallingfoulfromalackofpoliticalagreementbetweenlocalparties,withunionistsopposedtoanyscrutinyoftheStateandrepublicansandnationalistsseekinganindependentprocess.Ofcourseinthiscontextitisalwayslikelythatagreementwillnotbereachedgiventhecontestednatureofthepastandvestedinterest.ConvenientlytheUKgovernmenthasmanagedtoinsulateitselfanddeflectfromitslegalobligationstoinvestigateStatekillingsbyconditioningthedischargeofArticle2compliantinvestigationsonlocalagreementbytheExecutivepartiestothedevolvedinstitutions.Effectivelytheyarehidingbehindunionistopposition.Manycommentatorsrightlyseethisasbeingapoisonedchaliceforthedevolvedinstitutionsandimportantlynottheirresponsibility,asthekillingsoccurredunderdirectruleandthatitistheUKgovernmentandnotthedevolvedExecutivethatsignstheConvention.ThistooincludestheUKgovernmentstatingthatthelocaladministrationandnottheUKTreasuryinLondonmustalsocarrythefinancialcostsandresponsibilityofinvestigations.Naturallyinsuchcircumstances,andwheretheseadditionalcostsarenotcoveredintheblockgrantfromtheUKTreasuryto47http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-2357660748RFJmetwiththeheadofthePSNI’sC2,AssistantChiefConWillKerr,membersofthePolicingBoardandafamilylawyeron11th/12/2014atwhichthePSNImadeacommitmenttoprovidefamilieswithreportscompletedpriortotheHETbeingcloseddown;thistooincludedreportspreviouslycompletedi.e.theoriginalreportbytheHETintothekillingsofMauraandDorothy.NoteofmeetingonfilewithRFJ
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thedevolvedExecutiveandwithausterity,itfollowsthatthistooincreasesexistingtensionsbetweenthelocalpoliticalpartiesmerelyaddingtotheproblemoverall.Thenet-resultbeingthatwehavemoredelay.Morerecentlywhereagreementwasreachedonlegacymechanisms,thatalsoincludedagreementbybothgovernmentsforthefirsttime,theUKrenegedonthedealbysubsequentlyprovidingitselfwithablanketvetoindraftlegislationaroundthedisclosureofinformationciting‘nationalsecurity’.ThelegislationwouldhaveenabledanindependentArticle2compliantinvestigationsunitwithunrestrictedaccesstoallinformationonkillingsasoriginallyagreedinnegotiationsbytheUKgovernment.ItisnowevidentthatthepromiseoffulldisclosurebytheUKgovernment,itssecurityandintelligenceservices,willnothappen.ThepossibleroleandinterventionoftheCouncilofEurope’sCommissioneronHumanRightsConsequentlyfamiliesliketheMaguire’sandMeehan’sfindthemselveswithoutanyremedywhatsoeverforthekillingoftheirlovedones,andgiventhecurrentapproachbytheUKitwouldseemunlikelythattheywillachieveaprocesswithouttheinterventionoftheCOE.Indeedtherearethousandsoffamiliesfromacrossthecommunityaffectedbyallactorstotheconflictthatfindthemselvesinasimilarposition.ItisinthiscontextthattheMaguireandMeehanfamilyseektoreachouttotheCouncilofEurope’sCommissionerforHumanRights(COE’sCHR)inthehopethataninterventioncanbemadetoremedythisformofperpetualdelaythattheyandhundredsofotherfamiliesface.OutofafamilyofeightchildrenMichaelMaguireisnowthesolesurvivingsiblingofDorothyandMaura.He,alongwithMaura’schildrenandgrandchildren,isentitledtoaproperinvestigation.MartinaAndersonMEP,andherpartySinnFéin,hundredsofotherfamilies,andRFJ,allfindtheapproachoftheUKtobeadeliberatedelayingtactic.ForinformationwehaveprovidedthelinkonRule9SubmissionsbyRFJ49,andotherNGO’s,totheDepartmentfortheExecutionofJudgmentsoftheEuropeanCourtonHumanRights.ThistooincludestheUKresponses.FromourperspectivethishopefullysetsouttheupdatedsituationwithregardstoassistingtheCOE’sHRCindetermininganypossiblyroleinthiscase,whichissymbolicofthewiderproblemofdelayoverallincasesthatnumberinthethousands.49http://www.coe.int/en/web/execution/submissions-united-kingdomGroupofcasesMcKerrv.UnitedKingdom(28883/95)CasesFinucanev.UnitedKingdom(29178/95),KellyandOthersv.UnitedKingdom(30054/96),McCaugheyandOthersv.UnitedKingdom(43098/09)andColletteandMichaelHemsworthv.UnitedKingdom(58559/09)
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ConclusionIftheUKgovernmentsanctionedtortureatCabinetlevel,concealedthatfactfromtheEuropeanCommissionandthentheCourt;ifmembersofitsarmedforcesandintelligenceservicesarmedanddirectedillegalparamilitariesinordertoprocurepoliticalassassinationandsectarianmurder;colludedtohavetheforemosthumanrightslawyerinthejurisdictionmurdered;iftheirarmedsoldiersandpoliceshotcitizens,includingwomenandchildren,andnon-Statecombatants,thenfabricatedthecircumstances;iftheyperjuredthemselvesintheprocess;destroyedincriminatingevidenceoftheiractions;harassedandintimidatedwitnesses;andarrangedforforensicandballisticscientiststochangeevidence;allofwhichhashappenedonnumerousoccasionswithoutsanction,thenitisnotastretchatalltoclaimthatinshootingDorothyMaguireandMauraMeehansoldiersconcoctedastorytoseektotryandjustifytheiractions.Itiscertainlysomethingtheyareverycapableofandwellpracticedin.
MauraMeehan&familycirca1971
Belowisalinktoa6-minuterecordingmadebyRelativesforJusticetocoincidewiththeUNdayfortheRighttoTruth,March24th2014,thatfeaturesrelativesofpeoplekilledmakingthecallfortruth.TwoofMaura’schildrenfeatureintherecording.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JPg44okm2g
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OnbehalfoftheMaguire&MeehanfamilyMichaelMaguire,brotherofDorothy&MauraAnnemarieMaguire,nieceofDorothy&MauraMargaretKennedydaughterMauraMeehanJimMeehansonofMauraMeehanOnbehalfofRelativesforJustice,MarkThompson–Mark ThompsonReportcommissioned&submittedbySinnFéinMEPMartinaAndersonattherequestofthefamily
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