Ballymurphy Massacre families want Hillsborough-style Independent Panel to examine evidence

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

'It is an innovative approach to the issue of truth and I would urge everyone interested in supporting the families to back their proposal and to join with them in demanding that the British Government establish an Independent Panel'

THE FAMILIES of 11 people from the Ballymurphy area of west Belfast killed by the British Army in a 36-hour period following the introduction of internment without trial on 9 August 1971 are calling for an ‘Independent Panel’ based on last year’s ‘Hillsborough Disaster Inquiry’ model.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel re-examined evidence about the crowd control disaster that resulted in the deaths of 96 Liverpool soccer fans and injuries to hundreds of others during a 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Sheffield’s Hillsborough Stadium.

On 12 September 2012, after a lengthy inquiry, the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel found that police orchestrated a cover-up, falsified documents and blamed innocent supporters. The lives of 41 fans could have been saved, it said, and the report cleared supporters of any wrongdoing or blame for the disaster as previously alleged by the police and media.

Now the relatives of the 11 Ballymurphy victims – including a local priest and a mother of 8 – are seeking the appointment of an Independent Panel to examine all of the documents relating to the context, circumstances and aftermath of the deaths of their loved ones at the hands of the British Army’s Parachute Regiment.

Gerry Adams writes in his Léargas blog:

“The Panel would investigate the role of the British Government, British Army, and criminal justice agencies such as the RUC, DPP, the Coroner’s Office and the significance of the media as well as secure the public disclosure of all of the available documents.

“It would publish a detailed, comprehensive report demonstrating how the disclosed documents add to public understanding of these events, their investigation and the consequences.

“The families’ proposal is based on the terms of reference of the British Government funded work of the Hillsborough Independent Panel. I support their proposal. It is an innovative approach to the issue of truth and I would urge everyone interested in supporting the families to back their proposal and to join with them in demanding that the British Government establish an Independent Panel.”

Last Sunday, the relatives of the Ballymurphy victims held a march and rally to highlight their demand for truth.