March Of Truth

The Ballymurphy Massacre took place at the introduction of internment on August 9th, 1971. 11 people were killed by British Army paratroopers over the course of three days. For more background see Ballymurphy Massacre. 2011 is the 30th anniversary and the campaign for truth and justice continues with a ‘march for truth’. The board in the first image was painted by Mo Chara Kelly. The play advertised in the second image is Ballymurphy – The Aftermath, written by Brenda Murphy, directed by Pam Brighton and playing at Conway Mill.

Springfield Road and Whiterock Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Topper Thompson

“In memory of Topper Thompson, murdered by British death squads, 27th April 1994, aged 25. Deeply missed but never forgotten. Erected by his friends.” Paul ‘Topper’ Thompson was killed by the UDA on April 27th, 1994. Collusion is alleged – see Relatives For Justice.

Springfield Park, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Save Brendan Lillis

Two Brendan Lillis boards at the former site of the Andersonstown RUC barracks. The first is below No Bail For Murderers; the second is on top of On The One Road.

The accusation of “medical neglect” an appeal for compassionate release due to Lillis’s suffering from the arthritic condition, ankylosing spondylitis. For political background, see Release Brendan Lillis.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Ar Aghaıdh Lınn

Cú Chulaınn stands dying. In addition to the four provinces in the corners, the four colours of man can be seen in the apex (as a background to Ireland). Tuan the hawk historian, who has seen all of the conquests of Ireland, flies overhead. (Both Tuan and the four colours are familiars of Mo Chara Kelly.)

“Ar aghaıdh lınn” [Onward! or Let’s go!]

Glenbawn Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Fáılte Go Gleann Bán

A red-headed lass with a horn stands watch for others at a mass rock – a stone in a remote location for Catholic worship, made necessary by a Penal law of 1695 which forbade the religious practice of Catholicism and “dissenter” forms of Protestantism (that is, anything other than Anglicism) (source). The harp, with a “cap of liberty” rather than a crown (WP), together the slogan “Equality – It is new strung and it shall be heard” is the emblem of the Society of United Irishmen (WP). On the other side of the mural linen lies in the fields bleaching and a farmer and wife plough the land with a team of horses and distribute seed.

Glenbawn Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Transgenerational Trauma

Relatives for justice (web) youth project holds an annual vigil for victims of plastic bullets and their families. This display places cut-out figures on the railings of the City Cemetery at the distances at which they were hit by a rubber or plastic bullet, between 1972 and 1989. (Previously done in mural form on Divis Street: Ban Plastic Bullets.)

From left to right, the victims are Keith White, Norah McCabe, John Downes, Tobias Molloy, Peter McGuinness, Stephen McConomy, Paul Whitters, Francis Rowntree, Julie Livingstone, Carol Ann Kelly, Seamus Duffy, Brian Stewart, Henry Duffy, Michael Donnelly, Thomas Friel, Peter Doherty.

The board on the far right contains an acrostic for “Plastic Bullets”: “Panic – Lethal – Age – Sorrow – Terror – Innocence – Children. Ban them – Unnecessary – Loss – Life – Extreme use – Transgenerational trauma – Stop using them”.

With support from Pobal, An tAontas Eorpach, and the Community Relations Council.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Francis Hughes

For the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike, the Dockers & Carters mural was replaced by a large mural of republican heroes on Northumberland Street, with Francis Hughes at the centre.

(For more in-progress images, the completed mural, and a list of the portraits, see X00384.)

Northumberland Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Hunger Striker Mosaics

For the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike, the mosaics of the Troubles-era hunger strikers are mounted around the blanket-men board and above the Phoenix in Clowney Street; for a few years they were previously at the Falls-Beechmount corner.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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