A claim that the British Army “don’t do conspiracies” by one its most
infamous liars, General Mike Jackson, drew derision and frustration in
equal measure at the inquest into the Ballymurphy massacre this week.
Jackson — who was behind the cover-up for the Bloody Sunday massacre,
and who also described innocent victims of the Ballymurphy massacre as
“gunmen” — faced questioning over the latter atrocity for the first
time.
He described his role in 1971 as “community relations and press
liaison”. When he asked in the courtroom why he had falsely described
two victims of a shooting spree by the Parachute Regiment as having been
armed, Jackson said: “I don’t know”.
On the back of the murderous reputation of the Paras, the low-ranking
adjutant rose to the highest ranks of the British military and was
knighted and honoured for services to the Crown. He became one of the
most high-profile British Army generals since the Second World War, and
has held the rank of Commander of Chief of British Land Forces.
On his first tour with the 1st Parachute Regiment, he was present at
Ballymurphy in August 1971 and was then closely involved in the events
of Bloody Sunday in 1972.
A litany of murder and brutality followed 1 Para during his tours, not
only in Ballymurphy but on the Shankill Road and Bogside in Derry. This
‘culture of killing’ has come under close scrutiny during the
Ballymurphy Inquest, as have the attempts by the British Army to cover
up the actions of their soldiers.
In a newspaper article in the aftermath of the Ballymurphy killings,
Jackson is quoted as saying “his men fought a two-hour gun battle with
as many as 20 gunmen who were using a Thompson sub-machine gun, pistols
and rifles. We killed two of them and recovered the bodies… we got
another gunman and I think he is dying.”
Mr Jackson went on to play a similar role in the Bloody Sunday killings
in Derry five months later, when 13 unarmed civilians were shot dead by
some members of the same units present in Ballymurphy.
He was responsible for the infamous “shot list” invented to justify the
killings, labelling those gunned down as “gunman,” “nail bomber” and
“petrol bomber.”
It claimed that all those killed by Parachute Regiment troops were
armed, when in fact none of them were carrying weapons. The “shot list”
was wired to every British embassy and consulate as part of the
cover-up. Mr Jackson initially denied knowledge of the list during the
Saville inquiry into Bloody Sunday.
The inquest has already heard horrific details of individual atrocities
by the Parachute Regient. Michael Mansfield QC, counsel for the family
of victim Joseph Corr, asked Jackson why Paras involved in the shootings
were not questioned at the time.
He put it to Jackson that there had been an attempt to cover up the
murder of the two men who he had described as “gunmen”. John Laverty,
who was 20, and Joseph Corr, who was 43, were shot dead on the upper
Whiterock Road near Dermott Hill Road early on the morning of 11 August
1971. The inquest has heard that no weapons were ever found on their
persons.
Mr Jackson responded: “It is a preposterous accusation to make which
would require a huge number of people to be part of. It simply does not
add up.
“It may be there was a breakdown in procedure, it may be that the whole
system was overwhelmed by the mayhem of that week, I don’t know.”
He insisted a “thumping noise” he heard in the Ballymurphy area was the
sound of IRA machine guns, firing on the British Army. But it was his
claim on behalf of the British Army and MI5 that “we don’t do
conspiracies” that drew groans of derision.
Pressed on why he described Laverty and Corr as gunmen, the retired
General said he had been “fed information”. He added: “In retrospect, of
course I should have said ‘alleged’.”
For the families, there was no surprise at the courtroom bravado.
“He should have said allegedly shot dead,” said Eileen McKeown, daughter
of Joseph Corr. Rita Bonner, John Laverty’s sister, added: “There was a
conspiracy to hide the death of every one of our loved ones.”
John Teggart, son of Ballymurphy victim Danny Teggart, said that having
the General take the stand was “a big day for the families.”
“We have been working all these years to change this narrative from
Jackson,” he said.
“As the inquest continues, the evidence we have heard so far as been
harrowing, it’s been really hard on the families – but we are one big
family down there, down at the courts. Everybody is looking after each
other as this continues and that is a massive help to us all.
Irish Repertory Theatre to honor President
Bill Clinton at its Annual Fundraising Gala!
Ciaran O’Reilly
and Charlotte
Moore, Founding Directors, Irish
Repertory Theatre: The Irish Rep presents their 30th
Anniversary Celebration, honoring President Bill Clinton for his role in
the Peace Process in Northern Ireland. The award will be presented onstage
by Emmy Award-winner Alec
Baldwin. The show will also feature a Full
Orchestra and Chorus, a star-studded Broadway cast and a special appearance
by Judy
Collins. The Gala takes place on Monday June 17 at
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, NYC. For information www.IrishRep.org
or call 212.727.2737.
Rebecca Skedd, CEO, Solace House
NYC: Solace
House provides confidential, therapeutic support for those who are
experiencing suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, bereavement by
suicide, and, for those who engage in self-harming behaviors. Its
therapists are Licensed Clinical Social Workers and work with the utmost
professionalism and kindness. There are two locations where you or a loved
one can avail of their free services: New York Irish Center Building,
Long Island City Queens and Yonkers. The
Annual Solace Sunrise Walkwill take place in 8 venues
this year including next SAT, JUN 8 4:30 AM-Queens,
Bronx, San Francisco, Toronto, Lexington,
KY. Those participating will walk from the darkness of the night into
the bright, sun-filled morning, symbolizing the journey many in suicidal
distress undertakes when visiting Solace House Centers in New York. The
Walk will raise much needed funds to maintain its free services, providing
professional therapy for those who need it and to facilitate the expansion
of its services in the US. Tel:718-482-0001 or email: mary@solacehouseinc.com. News and Sports live from Ireland
with Kevin O’Connor, sponsored by
Tourism Ireland Community Organisations Listing Ireland’s Great
Hunger Museum: www.ighm.org The Irish Repertory Theatre: www.irishrep.org Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) https://aoh.com/ Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH)
http://www.ladiesaoh.com/ Emerald Isle Immigration Center www.eiic.org Irish International Business Network: www.iibn.nyc New York Irish Center www.newyorkirishcenter.org American Irish Historical Society: www.aihs.org Irish Arts Center: www.irishartscenter.org Aisling Irish Center: www.aislingcenter.org NY Irish
History Roundtable www.irishnyhistory.org
I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge My two strong sons that I have seen go out To break their strength and die, they and a few, In bloody protest for a glorious thing, They shall be spoken of among their people, The generations shall remember them, And call them blessed; But I will speak their names to my own heart In the long nights; The little names that were familiar once Round my dead hearth. Lord, thou art hard on mothers: We suffer in their coming and their going; And tho’ I grudge them not, I weary, weary Of the long sorrow – And yet I have my joy: My sons were faithful, and they fought.
MEMORIAL MASS
On Saturday, June 8, 2019, at 1000 hours, the annual Memorial Mass will be celebrated in the quarters of E-60/L-17, located at 341 East 143 Street, Bronx, NY. The mass will honor the memory of the following members who died in the line of duty: Capt. Phillip Hublitz, Lt. Packey Redican, Firefighters John Hamilton, Johnnie Williams, Russell Linneball, Neville Martin, Michael Curtin, Harold Hoey and Peter McLaughlin. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
LT. MICHAEL J VECSI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
The Lt. Michael J Vecsi Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser will be held Saturday, June 8, 2019, rain or shine, from 12:00 – 5:00 PM on the grounds of Moore Catholic High School, 100 Merrill Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314. There will be attractions for all throughout the day, including food, beverage, music, animal show, face painter and bounce houses. Cost is $20. There are 300 raffles being sold for $100 – contact Katie Heyde at 917-440-0153. There will also be 50/50s, raffles and baskets. Come one, come all, celebrate Lt. Vecsi’s life. All proceeds go to scholarships for Moore Catholic High School.
FIRE BELL CLUB DINNER
On Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 7:00 PM, the Fire Bell Club will hold their 80th Anniversary Dinner at Marina Del Rey, 1 Marina Drive, Bronx, NY. In addition, the recipients of this year’s James Gordon Bennett Medal and Shelly Rothman Medal will be honored. Tickets are $100 and will not be sold at the door. Additional information and reservation forms are available online at www.firebellclub.org.
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP DINNER DANCE
The Columbia Association FDNY will hold its 84th Annual Scholarship Dinner Dance on Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Russo’s on the Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard, Queens, NY. This year the Columbia Association will honor its scholarship winners along with 2019 Man of the Year, Lt. Joseph LaPointe, Commanding Officer of the FDNY Ceremonial Unit. The President’s Award will be presented to Captain Frank Vignali, Executive Officer D-7. The Humanitarian Award will be presented to Legacy Advisors. Everyone is welcome to attend. Donation is $125 per person. Please RSVP beforeJune 10, 2019. For reservations contact FF Enrico Boletti, Sq-1, (917) 207-4773 or Division Chief Grace Cacciola, (917) 375-3702. For additional information visit www.fdnycolumbia.com.
The Haka, there is something truly special, unique and inspirational about that display. It turns faces to the colour of paper or toilet roll, and it lets everybody know that this is a nation that intend to do battle. Gladiator’s intent on giving their all for their tradition, bodies, souls and no uncertainty as to the inevitable war that will ensue. Their ritualistic dance of passion is followed by Irelands call. It’s very easy for me to say how ridiculous I think that song is, to pontificate about all its misgivings but time has made me think. I watched the game with one eye on Saturday evening, my ambivalence clearly on display as the pub in Tallaght erupted without me. Celebrations, high 5’s and utter euphoria as Ireland beat those Haka calling madmen. It made me think, again and again, in fact that night in my mind was occupied with thoughts. I went to a friends 40th afterwards, a man that I had visited and was released from Port Laoise Gaol but a few short months ago. I wished him well and went home early. I couldn’t stop thinking of that dance and Irelands answer to it. I thought of the football game on the Thursday that preceded it, the division, the tribes, and the hostility. Why was rugby so different I thought as I struggled to sleep. Again I can tell you how ridiculous I think Phil Coulters song is but I wont, you probably know that already. Can I bring you back to the football game for a moment, our anthem that we put so much into was sang by one or two. The rest, either couldn’t be bothered, didn’t know the words or were not Irish at all. Rugby seems to unify our people but football divides. I slept poorly that night, I just couldn’t fathom why. Sell outs singing shoulder to shoulder or something else. Perhaps we missed something, after all if and when we achieve a United Ireland should it be to throw 2 fingers at the polar politicians. You see the meaning is in the word, United. God knows how many patriots have dies for this land, small and fragile, young and old. The road that Sinn Fein went down was tantamount to treachery, I’m not trying to suggest it was anything else. To sell volunteers, that gave everything, down a muddied path will never be forgotten. I could go on and on about their failings. I won’t, not this time. To those that say Brits out can I say that yes I agree, the British should be ousted and leave with an apology, their tail between their imperialist legs and never return. But the reality is a different story entirely. The Brits out mentality doesn’t factor in the ones that wore Green and cheered on a national team on Saturday. Yes we are all keeping an eye on Brexit but why. So the British fall over themselves, buying and selling votes to the highest bidder. If we are relying on Downing street or the house of Commons to deliver us Irish unity we truly are slaves. Yes master, let me fetch you something master. Not on my watch, not for Ireland. To want something aspirational is commendable, to deliver, or strive to, is where it really is. So can we take rugby as an example of a nation coming together or will we stick to the mantra, the dogma. I remember somebody once said to me, what would Bobby Sands make of all this. I truly have no idea was the answer, then I paused and replied again, what about Pearse, McIlwee, and McSwinney. Did they not fight and die too. Apologies, I got distracted, so patriotic I almost typed Amhrain Na Bhfiann. I saw the rugby, a nation, a terrible song and some Irish warriors too. I saw the football, the superstars that couldn’t point out Ireland on a map. Before you answer the improbable think of the impossible. It kept me up all night and in a perverse way I hope it does you. ⏩ Conor Lynam is a campaigner with the IRPWA
