BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny

Subject: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 22 May 06 - 05:36 AM

Richard McIlkenny, one of the Birmingham Six wrongly imprisoned for IRA bombings in the 1970s has died in a Dublin hospital.

Born in Belfast, Mr McIlkenny, who was aged 73, was released 15 years ago.

Six Irishmen resident in Birmingham were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1975 for pub bombings in the city which killed 21 people. They served 16 years.

Despite pleas that the confessions had been obtained through beatings, they were not freed until March 1991.

The six were Paddy Hill, Billy Power, Mr McIlkenny, Hugh Callaghan, Gerry Hunter and John Walker.

I was a friend of Richard and can say he held no bitterness for his injustice. The British government in recent years admitted they were wrong and that confessions were beaten out of the six men, no policemen ever faced charged for what they did..He had battled cancer for the past few years. My thoughts are with his wife Kathleen, his daughters and his only son.

Richard McIlkenny was a factory worker in the north of England and was living in Birmingham when he was detained along with friends by Special Branch detectives on 21 November 1974 after two pubs in the city were bombed.


He was interrogated by police for three days until he signed a false confession admitting to bombing the pubs in which 21 people died and 162 were injured.

On 24 November, 1974, Mr McIlkenny appeared in court along with Patrick Hill, Gerry Hunter, Hugh Callaghan, Billy Power and Johnny Walker, and was remanded into custody.

During their trial the men claimed their confessions had been beaten out of them, but the court did not believe them.

In August 1975 the Birmingham Six were sentenced to life in prison on the basis of their false confessions.and endured 16 years of hypocrisy and brutality.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 May 06 - 06:09 AM

My sympathies on the loss of your friend.

al

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Grab
Date: 22 May 06 - 07:56 AM

Yes, those railroaded convictions and forced confessions were a bloody awful thing to happen. Not only did six people have a large part of their lives taken away from them, but those that were injured and the families of the dead were deprived of any chance of justice. Everyone loses.

Going through what those six did and still being as calm as they were takes real strength. My respects to his memory.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: GUEST,Boston Boy
Date: 22 May 06 - 07:21 PM

The Flames of Innocence

The flames of Innocence
Burn bright against
The darkness
Of oppression and hatred
Wrapped in foul obsession
Cringing in fear
Of truth's bright beams of light.
For justice,
Is once again
Emerging from where she
Had been banned
To the singing of the people
As they march together
Hand in hand
With flames for the innocent
As their song
Throughout the land.

Written by Richard McIlkenny whilst jailed by the British for a crime he did not comitt.

May he rest in peace.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 May 06 - 11:26 PM

Divis,

My sympathies, too, on the loss of your friend. It takes a great soul to live through such and come out without rancour. May he find Peace and may his family find comfort in their memories of him and through their sharing with friends.

kat/Kathleen

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 23 May 06 - 04:52 AM

Thanks Kat

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: ard mhacha
Date: 23 May 06 - 07:56 AM

The death of Richard McIkenny who spent 16 years in various English jails should bring home to the British government that it may be too late to offer an apology to each of the remaining men or do they wait until these victims of British justice pass away like Richard.

In the early 1970s it was a case of ,`any Paddy will do`, the Guilford 4 and the Maguire family were also the victims of this scenario, not only were they wrongly imprisoned but had to stand the vicious treatment meted out by racists members of the Police and the prison wardens.

Despite all of the verdicts being overturned some members of the British establishment still take the lead from that `learned` Judge who advised eveyone "that an apalling vista would arise shoul we set these people free". Evil personified.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 23 May 06 - 08:18 AM

Well said ard

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 06 - 11:52 AM

In 2000, each of the Birmingham six were offered a final settlement of more than £960,000 by the British government - with £50,000 charged for bed and board for their years behind bars to be deducted.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: GUEST,Brendy
Date: 23 May 06 - 12:12 PM

God rest his soul.

I'm very sorry for your loss, Divis.
I, like ard, hope that the rascism and xenophobia prevalent then (as it is now) is faced by the Establishment, and acted upon in a positive manner.

'Sorry' seems to be the hardest word....

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 23 May 06 - 03:25 PM

Thanks Brendy. It's a sad house down in Dublin tonight where he had lived since his release. He had two daughters and a son and wife Kathleen. No bitterness at all in any of them. He would not allow it.He really had put all of it behind him a long time ago. Pity some of those who are attacking the Irish on another thread here couldn't have learned from him. They may think I walked away from their twisted remarks, but not a good day for me. Always tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 May 06 - 12:28 PM

Good for him that he taught his family to let go of any bitterness as well. I've an old family friend, in her 80's, who is dying from the bitterness and anger she has harboured for far too many years, much of it related to her parents being Irish and her hatred all things/people English. It is just no good to anyone to live that way.

Hopeful for Peace for All,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 24 May 06 - 01:02 PM

Well Kat most people do wish to go on with life and let the past go. Sadly this site on occasion is a prime example of the opposite !
He's laid at peace now. I only wish he would of heard the official apology whilst he had a quality of life. Bad time for all of us who knew him.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 May 06 - 01:59 PM

{{{{HUGS}}}} seems inadequate, but it's heartfelt, at least...

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 24 May 06 - 07:40 PM

As always Kat, thank you, your kindness is remembered.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: GUEST,Bernell Burroughs (Bert)
Date: 25 May 06 - 07:44 AM

I met Richard (Dicky) a few years ago whilst visiting relations in Dublin. I am from Birmingham and I remember the vile oppression and prejudice towards the Irish, that followed the aftermath of the bombings.
As a black man married to a Dublin girl, I am no stranger to prejudice or hatred. Richard had neither when I met him. He was gentle, fairly quiet, with a crafty smile and a wicked sense of humour. I felt very humbled in his company.
There is no way on God's earth, that any of us can truly appreciate what horrors they all endured for 16 years.
God rest your soul Richard, you had a great send off, and we will remember your life in history for ever.
Bert, Kathy, Darren and Lorraine

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 25 May 06 - 07:57 AM

Condolences Seamus, and welcome back to the forum.
Keith.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 25 May 06 - 11:16 AM

Thanks Keith as always good to see you. Lovely words Bert. Kathleen and the family will take great comfort in those. As you will have remembered he rarely spoke of what happened to him and forgave those involved. His strength, forgivness and dry humour will live forever. An example to us all.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: number 6
Date: 25 May 06 - 11:59 AM

"No bitterness at all in any of them. He would not allow it"

"forgave those involved"

... those acts in itself are a testimonial to what kind of man he was.

May he find true peace.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Den
Date: 25 May 06 - 02:39 PM

Sorry for your loss Divis. It sounds like Richard was a man and a half.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 26 May 06 - 03:11 AM

I would be interested to ask you about Mr McIlkenny as his friend Seamus.
However, we tend to disagree in our exchanges, and you must say if it is too soon.
Keith.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 26 May 06 - 07:59 AM

PM received Divis.
That covers it thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Death of Richard McIlkenny
From: GUEST,Siobhan McIlkenny
Date: 27 May 06 - 05:31 PM

I am Richard McIlkennys daughter. On behalf of my family I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who have offered their condolences on our loss. We are all devastated at his passing but comforted by the knowledge that he is safe in the arms of Jesus and all those who loved him and went before him. He was a beautiful, kind, funny & compassionate man who had a heart of solid gold. We are proud to call him dad.