BALLYMURPHY MASSACRE FAMILIES WELCOME ALL-PARTY DÁIL MOTION
 


Posted By: July 12, 2015

The families of the victims of the Ballymurphy Massacre welcomed the all-party motion on the events in Ballymurphy in 1971 and their legacy which is to take place in the Dáil on Wednesday 15 July.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny tabled an all-party motion in the Dáil Éireann in support of the families of the victims of the Ballymurphy Massacre in their quest for truth.

John Teggart, who’s Father Danny was shot 14 times on 9th August 1971 by the Parachute Regiment, speaking today welcomed the move when he said “The Taoiseach met with the Ballymurphy Massacre families on 27 March this year at the spots where our loved ones were murdered.  The Taoiseach fully endorsed our campaign for truth and justice and he has been true to his word as he has tabled the all party motion. I welcome this move by the Irish Government and hope that the motion will be supported by all political parties in the Dáil.

“We would like the support of all political parties to help us put pressure on the British Government to give us an independent inquiry based on the recent Hillsborough Inquiry so that we can unearth the terrible injustices of the events in 1971. The British Government made up of millionaires is more interested in bringing back fox hunting than they are at bringing justice and truth to our families.”

Briege Voyle, whose mother Joan was brutally murdered at the same location as John’s father also welcomed the debate. “This is an opportunity for the political parties in the South to send a strong message to the Tory Government. The people of Ireland cannot forget the injustice inflicted by the British State. We are still living with the consequences of what the British army did in 1971 when they murdered 11 unarmed and innocent people. The British Government has an obligation to enable a full investigation to take place so that the full story of what happened to our loved ones can be told.

“On behalf of the families, I’d like to thank all of the political parties for their support to date. A motion with strong cross party support for our campaign will enable the Taoiseach to continue to press the British Government on our behalf.”

Notes to editors:
The Ballymurphy Massacre Families propose the appointment of an Independent Panel to examine all documents relating to the context, circumstances and aftermath of the deaths of their loved ones. Its focus would include: the investigation of the role of the British Government, British Army, criminal justice agencies such as the RUC, DPP, the Coroner’s Office and the significance of the media. The panel’s work would reflect the terms of reference for the Hillsborough Independent Panel which was supported fully by the British Government.

Between 9th and 11th of August 1971 eleven people were brutally murdered. All 11 unarmed civilians were murdered by the British Army’s Parachute Regiment. One of the victims was a well known parish priest and another was a 45 year old mother of eight children. No investigations were carried out and no member of the British Army was held to account. It is believed that some of the soldiers involved in Ballymurphy went on to Derry some months later where similar events occurred.
For more information visit: http://www.ballymurphymassacre.com/cms/ or call John Teggart on 07860382930 or 07512166867. We would like to thank Mc Gurks Massacre families and Falls Taxi Association for their kind  support on our visit to Dublin