19 August 2004 Edition

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Launch of Ardoyne victims' video

Albert Reynolds with Tommy McWilliams, chair of the Ardoyne Fleadh, and Sinn Féin Councillor Margaret McClenaghan

Albert Reynolds with Tommy McWilliams, chair of the Ardoyne Fleadh, and Sinn Féin Councillor Margaret McClenaghan

The Ardoyne Commemoration Project last Sunday marked the 35th anniversary of the first deaths of the 99 political victims from Ardoyne over the 30-year conflict. Sammy McLarnon and Michael Lynch were shot dead by the RUC on 15 August 1969.

Two years ago, the project produced a book, Ardoyne: The Untold Truth, detailing the deaths of all these local victims and last weekend, they launched a video of this project in the local GAA club, Ardoyne Kickhams. A 20-minute shortened version of the video was shown and the packed hall of over 300 people heard the three guest speakers, John Finucane, son of Pat Finucane; Fr Aidan Troy, rector of Holy Cross Ardoyne; and former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. Most of those present were relatives of the 99 victims.

"Tonight's event is another chapter in our honouring by remembering those who died," said Fr Troy. "They are part of the fabric of Ardoyne. It is said that the Church grows from the blood of the Martyrs. Ardoyne grows also by our never forgetting our history.

"For some, the video will be difficult to view because of the memories it will bring back. But remember that this is the celebration of the life of a loved one and is done by this whole community and our many friends at home and far away.

"Indeed, this community needs to go on celebrating life. Since the book launch this community has gone through untold suffering by the number of young and not so young who have ended their lives in suicide. They are part of our story and must never be forgotten."

"Both through the book and this video, the community has provided itself with a platform for remembering and honouring the dead, and, more importantly, of putting the truth about what happened on record for all those who seek it," said John Finucane.

"For too long communities such as Ardoyne have been betrayed and wronged by the government, the police, the army and a complacent and lazy media. It was only through taking ownership of this issue that the community could do justice to those that were killed.

"Accepting someone else's version of the truth about what happened to our loved ones is no longer acceptable and will never be allowed to happen again. My family know the dangers of allowing someone else's truth to go unchallenged. It was vital that we took ownership of our campaign for truth and justice and I applaud the committee for doing the same.

"The legacy of those who died from within our community will not be diminished as long as one person demands the truth. To do any less would be the grossest injustice of all to the memory of those who were killed. And I once again applaud all those from Ardoyne, and beyond, who were involved in telling the story of this area and who tirelessly worked for the justice that this area and our people deserve. Whilst projects such as this exist and thrive, then communities such as Ardoyne will continue to have the confidence to demand what should be a right to us all, and that is the truth about our loved one's deaths."


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