40 Years Ago.

[tonyav]

I can hardly believe it's been 40 since the Birmingham pub bombings, and still no one bought to justice for these atrocities.
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/magazine/birmingham-six-40th-anniversary-of-pub-bombings-that-led-to-one-of-the-worst-miscarriages-of-british-justice/ar-BBf1WIp

[murraymints]

OMG ..neither can I !

[Psybbo]

Hard to believe!

[tonyav]

Seems not so very long ago to me.

[pixie373]

Seems a lifetime to me.

[tonyav]

Thats c'us it is, pixie.

[pixie373]

I remember them being released. That was after 16 years??

[Tilly2]

Do you know this song? I can't find a you tube version.

Scapegoats.

E. Cowan/C. Moore

Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker,
Billy Power, Dick McIlkenny that’s their names.

Five men playing poker on the Heysham train
Fate was dealing them a cruel hand
Hugh Callaghan walked home through the evening rain
Not knowing what lay in store for him

There’s traces of nitro on cigarettes and matches
On Formica tabletops and on decks of playing cards
When forensics found traces on the hands of these six men,
The police drove up from Birmingham
Hoping the case was closed

Have you ever seen the mug shots that were taken
After 48 hours in custody
Battered and bruised, haunted looks upon their faces
The judge accepted they confessed willingly
Please take another look at what you see

If you tell me my family are being terrorised
Keep me awake for six days and nights confused and terrified
In the lonely dark of night I will swear that black is white
If you’ll just let me lay down and close my eyes
Ill sign anything if you let me close my eyes

Scales of justice balance up your act
Am I talking to myself or to the wall?
Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker,
Billy Power, Dick McIlkenny scapegoats all

For 16 years they were taking to the wall

[tonyav]

It wasn't them ( Birmingham six ) apparently, pixie.

[sunny-dave]

I had a mate who was in the Odeon (next door to the Tavern) - not hurt, but very shaken.

I used to drink in The Tavern and The Mulberry Bush when I was in town ...

[jno]

people were brought to justice... the wrong people. By the time they were freed 16 years later, it was I imagine a bit late to start over, at least to any effect.

[tonyav]

Dave, I used to sometimes enjoy a pint in the Tavern in the town on a Saturday lunch time especially on a match day. The people in that pub had absolutely no chance with the lay out in there.

[pixie373]

Yes, we did it in a history lesson briefly when they came out. A long time for something you haven't done!

[tonyav]

Sure is pixie. Good job there wasn't a death sentence still available to the judge at the time of the trial.

[Peter Pedant]

.

I did a double take on this as there were people ( who didnt do it ) that were convicted and served time....

by the time they were let out - despite the gritted opposition of the Police it was far far too late to reinvestigate

see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-26931862

not a period of policing that anyone looks back on with any fondness.

Birmingham under Geoffrey Dear ( now Lord Dear ) then disbanded (1980) their serious crimes unit for corruption [collusion in destruction of evidence]

[ronnietoon]

Not forgeting the guilford four in particular the recent gerry conlon

[tonyav]

Ah yes, I had forgotten about him ( Geoffrey Dear ). Thanks Peter.

[Tilly2]

No one has acknowledged the song I've posted. However, if you can find a copy of this Christy Moore song, do have a listen. It is amazing.

[New Judge]

If the real perpetrators had been brought to justice I imagine they would have been released and would hold senior positions in the government of Northern Ireland by now.

[Slapshot]

Blimey, a long time ago as you say....

It's like the recent thread on Bloody Sunday nothing good on any side of the arguement

[tonyav]

Couldn't find the other one, Tilly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5aLDjaLfLI