Background

On Monday 9 of August 1971 Internment without Trial was introduced by the British Government. This policy was directed and implemented by the British Army with the stated aim--"shock and stun the civilian population."

Between 9 and 11 August eleven people were killed in the Ballymurphy area of West Belfast. All eleven were killed by the British Army's Parachute Regiment.  All eleven were unarmed civilians. One of the dead was a parish priest, another the mother of eight children.  Forty seven children were left without a parent. There was no proper criminal investigation. The Royal Military Police were assigned as sole investigators. Not one member of the British Army was held to account. It is believed that had justice been administered and those held to account charged, the events of Bloody Sunday would not have happened.  

The terrible events in Ballymurphy for too long have remained in the shadows.  Here we put the spotlight on how eleven innocent people met their deaths over a three day period in August 1971.

Read the chronology of events by downloading the Relatives for Justice pamphlet here.

 What is needed?

The horrific catalogue of events in Ballymurphy between 9th and 11th August 1971 have remained hidden from public knowledge and focus for over 30 years. 

With the holding of the public inquiry into Bloody Sunday it has become clear that, had the Parachute Regiment been held to account for the murders in Belfast they could not have gone on to murder 14 more civilians with impunity six months later. These families have survived without public recognition or legal redress for all this time. With a process of transition from conflict to peace now underway they demand:

• Independent international investigation examining all of the circumstances surrounding all of the deaths. 
• The British government to issue a statement of innocence and a public apology.

What can I do?

Organize an information session in your local area or with your group. The campaign is seeking to hold information sessions with all interested people to inform them of what occurred.

Sign up to the families' demand for a statement of innocence and apology from the British Government.

Write to Gordon Brown outlining your concern and the need to meet the families' requests for history to be put to rights and the families to be recognized.

Contact:

The 1971 Ballymurphy Massacre Committee

c/o Relatives for Justice

235A Falls Road

Belfast, Ireland

BT12 4PE

Telephone: +44 028 9022 0100

Fax: +44 028 9022 0101

Email: Andree Muprhy