British forces

Ballymurphy Massacre

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“Ballymurphy Massacre August 1971 – We demand the truth.” 11 Catholic civilians from Ballymurphy were shot and killed by British Army paratroopers on August 9th-11th, during the initial wave of internment. Father Hugh Mullan is shown among the flats waving a baby’s babygro/onesie as he goes to the aid of a wounded man (Bobby Clarke); having turned to go after giving him the last rites, he would be shot be a Paratrooper (depicted in the bottom right corner with distinctive beret).

Fr Hugh Mullan, Paddy McCarthy, Frank Quinn, Joseph Murphy, Noel Philips, John Lavrty, Joan Connolly, Joe Corr, Daniel Teggart, John McKerr, Eddie Doherty

Painted by Rısteard Ó Murchú.

Whiterock Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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They Haven’t Gone Away You Know

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Sınn Féın leader Gerry Adams said of the IRA in 1995 “They haven’t gone away, you know” (youtube). The phrase is here used against him, with the British Army in place of the IRA: “Those who administer British rule are traitors – they haven’t gone away you know – Afghanistan, Iraq, Ireland.” 32CSM (32 County Sovereignty Movement) board at the top of Westland Row, Derry.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Jim McKernan

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“I ndıl cuimhne [chuimhne] Óglach Jim McKernan executed by the British Army near this spot 14th September 1986. Fuaır sé bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann. [He died for the cause of Ireland’s freedom]” McKernan was killed in a gun battle between an IRA unit and a British Army foot patrol. Andersonstown Road at Ballyowen.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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No Story Of Glory

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The New Lodge’s Terry McCafferty (RIRA) was given 12 years for possession of explosives in 2005. He was released briefly on license in late 2008 before being returned to Maghaberry – the reason for the revocation was not disclosed (until December 2009) leading to claims of internment. He would be released in April 2010 (RN). The board in the middle “Britain’s dirty wars – no story of glory” is otherwise unknown.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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True Heroes

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Four small boards from Ballyearl Drive in New Mossley, at the bonfire (see Welcome to New Mossley) and on fencing around an area to be re-landscaped. 36th (Ulster) Division, “Three Scottish soldiers murdered by scum 1971″ (John McCaig, Jospeh McCaig, Dougald McCaughey), and “New Mossley supports our troops.”

The UDR board would next year (2010) travel across the street, to the fencing around the bonfire area as a pitch and playground were built.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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HMS Belfast

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“HMS Belfast – built in Belfast to protect Britain’s future. Pro tanto quid retribuamus. [What shall we give in return for so much? – the motto of Belfast city]”. The mural shows HMS Belfast being launched on March 17, 1938. Tower Street, Belfast. After serving in WWI and Korea, the ship is now a tourist attraction in London.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Éırígí

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Éırígí (web) was formed in 2006 and became a political party in 2007, with candidates standing for two seats in 2011’s local elections. For its public art, it used stencils to promote itself and to highlight issues such as the continued presence of British troops in the North (“There are more British troops in Ireland than in Iraq”).

Andersonstown Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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Santa Is A British Agent

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Above: “Cáısc [Easter] 1916”, dating back to at least 1990. Below: “Santa is a British agent” (perhaps because of spying concerns or perhaps because of the blizzard that dropped 15 cm of snow in early January, 2008 – get in touch if you know what prompted this graffiti) with “Join Sınn Féın” stencils underneath.

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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Gibraltar

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“I ndıl chuımhne – In proud and loving memory of Volunteers Dan McCann, Mairead Farrell, Sean Savage, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann who were executed by British Crown forces in Gibraltar 6th March, 1988.” The three were killed in Gibraltar by the SAS in what was known as “Operation Flavius”. The European Court Of Human Rights found that the use of force was unlawful. (WP)

“Oh! Cold March winds that pierce the dark/You cry in aged tones/For souls of folk you’ve brought to God/But still you bear the moans./Oh! Weeping wind this lonely night/My mother’s heart is sore,/Oh! Lord of all breathe freedom’s breath/That she may weep no more. – Bobby Sands”.

Hawthorn Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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