A century of secrecy for Derry victims
Posted by Jim on November 28, 2015
A century of secrecy for Derry victims
The scale of British state secrecy efforts in the north of Ireland has
been highlighted after it emerged that a British Army film file on its
murderous ‘Operation Motorman’ in Derry has been declared ‘locked’ for
a period of 100 years.
A Freedom of Information request from the Derry Journal found that
Britain’s National Archive had three military films from the 1972
operation, but one has been marked as classified for a period of 100
years.
Two teenagers were killed by the British Army in Creggan on July 31,
1972, as it sought to assert control in the ‘Free Derry’ area.
In 2011, an inquest into the death of fifteen-year-old Daniel Hegarty
finally cleared his name of British military lies that he was engaging
in armed resistance when he was shot dead. In that inquest, one
military file was also deemed classified for a century.
The controversy over Britain’s refusal to admit the truth in its
actions in the Six Counties reignited last week when a deal in crisis
talks avoided any discussion on dealing with the past conflict as a
result of British ‘national security’ concerns.
The so-called ‘Fresh Start’ deal signed by Sinn Fein, the DUP and the
two governments has been strongly condemned by groups representing
victims and survivors of state killings and collusion.
Daniels sister, Margaret Brady said she wasnt even aware that the
newly found film footage existed.
I find this more than strange. In fact I find it shocking. Why is
locked for 100 years? Are they again trying to wait until we are all
rotting in the ground before they reveal the truth?
They are just trying to manufacture a story that suits them. We have
political parties here talking about fresh starts. How can there be a
fresh start when the British government continue to hide things.
“But, like Ive always said, it is not the innocent who have to fear
the truth. It is those who committed these crimes who are running
scared, she said.
The other Motorman victim, 19-year-old IRA Volunteer Seamus Bradley,
was unarmed when shot by the British Army, arrested and tortured. The
process to get a fresh inquest into his death is underway.
Lawyer for the Bradley family, Richard Campbell said he had never come
across an incident before where material had been closed for such a
length of time.
We have made a request to the Coroners Service, who have
investigatory powers for their help in getting all material in relation
to Motorman released.
But, this is bizarre. Why is it locked for 100 years. What could be
contained in this material that is so bad that it is to be locked for a
century?, he said.
The lawyer said he will be tabling the issue at the next meeting
working towards the establishment of a date for a new inquest into
Seamus Bradleys death.