This is a new plaque to Stephen McConomy in Fahan Street, Derry, which includes the death of his mother, Maria “Mia” McConomy in July 2008 (Find A Grave). (For the previous plaque, see M03363)
“Stephen McConomy (a child of 11 years) Murdered by a plastic bullet aged 11 years on 16th April 1982. Always remembered by his loving brothers, family and late mother. May they both rest in peace.”
See also: Civil Order.
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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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“In loving memory of Brian Stewart aged 13, murdered by a British Army plastic bullet. Born 13th October 1963, died 10th October 1976. Erected by Brian’s family and friends.” Brian Stewart died six days after being hit by a plastic bullet fired by the King’s Own Scottish Borders near his Turf Lodge Home. He was buried three days later, on October 13th – what would have been his fourteenth birthday. (For the long search for justice, see sister Marie Stewart | sceptic peg | saoirse32).
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Ballymurphy, The Aftermath was first produced for Féile in 2011 and returned for Féile 2012, running for a week in the Conway Mill. The play was written by Brenda Murphy and directed by Pam Brighton (An Phoblacht | Ballymurphy Massacre | BBC).
“Relatives For Justice – plastic bullet vigil, Wednesday 8th August, Andersonstown barracks site, 6.00PM – 7.00PM” – see 2011’s Transgenerational Trauma.
Falls Road/Glen Road, Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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This is a new plaque to Stephen McConomy, killed by a plastic bullet in 1982 (for the previous plaque, see M03363) along with (on the fence below) a reproduction of the front page of the Derry Journal that announced his death.
Fahan Street, Derry
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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This is a late-life shot of the mural at the corner of Hugo Street. There are now two windows in the mural, graffiti has been blacked out across the lower third, and the mural on the side wall (to the left of image) has gone completely.
You can track its history to this point by comparing this image with those from 2006 | 2002 | 2001.
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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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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“This mural is dedicated to the memory of those killed and maimed by rubber & plastic bullets fired by the police & British Army. Not one member of the security forces ever served a day in jail for the deaths, many of them children, despite the courts ruling on the innocence of the victims. Plastic bullets are still being used on the streets of the north of Ireland today.”
There were initially nine panels (of 15 victims each) but as the wide shot above shows, six more have now been added, so that the memorial to seventeen people killed by rubber or plastic bullets since 1970 is at the centre of 15 panels of portraits, in a wall “dedicated to the families who have fought and are still fighting for truth and justice for their loved ones. It is also dedicated to all those who have died as a result of state-sponsored killings. This Project is a work in progress and is not conclusive. If you wish a loved one to be included please contact An Fhírınne … Tá an balla seo tıomnaıthe do na teaghlaıgh a throıd agus atá ag troıd go fóıll, thar ceann a muıntıre ıonúıne, ar son na fírınne agus na córa. Tá sé tıomnaıthe fosta dóıbh sıúd uılıg a fuaır bás de dheasca maruıthe státurraıthe. Obaır ıdır lamha atá sa tıonscnamh seo agus níl sé críochnaıthe go fóıll. Dá mba mhıan leat duıne de do mhuıntır ıonúın féın a bheıth curtha san áıreamh, ıarrtar ort teagmháıl a dhéanamh leıs An Fhírınne.”
Beechmount Avenue/Ascaıll Ard na bhFeá, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Connolly House, on the Andersonstown Road, Belfast, is the home of Sınn Féın. Connolly’s portrait is on the railings, on the outside wall is the plaque to John/Sean Downes, the roll of honour is on an inside wall (“this plaque was smashed by pro-British elements during an attack on Connolly House in April 2009. Re-erected by Andersonstown Commemoration Committee”).
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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The board to the victims of rubber and plastic bullets in Islandbawn Street, is updated with a revised year: previously it read “Since 1972” now it reads “Since 1970 seventeen people killed including 8 children.” See also Civil Order, Plastic Death.
With graffiti below, originally stating “No votes for Sınn Féın traitors” modified to become “Vote for Sınn Feın”.
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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“Julie Livingstone aged 14 yrs. Murdered by the British Army 13th May 1981.” “The Stolen Child – Come away, O human child/To the waters and the wild/With a faery hand in hand/For the world’s more full of weeping/Than you can understand! – WB Yeats.” Livingstone was killed by a plastic bullet. The mural is in Glenveagh Drive. There is also a stone and plaque near the spot she was struck, on the Stewartstown Road.
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Peter Moloney Collection 