Long overlooked in the tales of how post punk ended up becoming the mainstream, Matt Johnson is now rightly regarded as many things: a songwriting genius, a musical visionary and a true artist willing to swim against the current. It makes for a fascinating story and Neil Fraser must be commended for getting it all down on paper.
Published in 2018 as Johnson was going back out on the road as The The, one of the reasons that it works so well is because Fraser was never an obsessive fan. Rather, he encountered Johnson through his conservation work while East London was being regenerated (or gentrified) in advance of the 2012 Olympic Games. So it means he has a more critical eye than most and is likely to find interest in areas that others might not.
One such example is when Johnson’s father notes the type of people that he worked with in the East End docks:
I’ve always been a voracious reader, but when I worked in the docks I was staggered at how many self-educated and literate men worked as stevedores, dockers and tally clerks. The bible for many of them was The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropist. Karl Marx was another favourite. One docker would recite and quote Congreve, Dante, Byron, whole poems and complete quotations; another man was fond of the Greek philosophers; others would talk of Proust, Kafka and Joyce. Some of the most enjoyable moments of my life were spent working in the docks, talking of life, politics and the infamy of the ruling class. It broadened my reading horizons, and I read Camus, Tolstoy, Dickens, Hemingway, Mark Twain, Mailer, Kingsley Amis, Sillitoe, Stan Barstow and others. But my real hero was George Orwell.
Encountering so many self-taught types not only influenced Johnson’s parents but also their three children who would go on to becomes musicians, artists and directors.
Devoting plenty of chapters to Johnson’s upbringing, his interest in music and his recordings, the reader is in heaven due to the forensic detail as well as the observations on how it all came about. When discussing the single ‘Heartland’, I was amused and elated to read this segment:
The song had been banned by Radio 1, for the use of the word ‘piss’, but as most intelligent observers noted, this was an accurate way of describing the sort of soulless shopping centres in the deprived heartlands of Britain. The moral arbiters of taste didn’t see it that way and demanded that an edit of the track with the offending phrase removed was done before airplay could be granted. ‘Heartland’ may well be Johnson’s greatest achievement. Historian and analyst of UK foreign policy, Mark Curtis, thinks so. “I heard Infected when I was a postgrad student at the LSE. It was probably ‘Heartland’ that really struck me first – just an extraordinary song and words.
Correct. How can you not love the end lyrical run of how:
The ammunition's been passed and the Lord's been praised/
But the wars on the televisions will never be explained/
All the bankers gettin' sweaty beneath their white collars/
As the pound in our pocket turns into a dollar
This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
On the other hand when discussing the disappointing 1989 album Mind Bomb, Johnson lets us know that
Mind Bomb was done on magic mushrooms; I had piles of books… I was meditating… doing all sorts of really deep, freakish things and getting into all this heavy Islamic stuff. Also Daoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism. I was trying to use consciousness as a type of microscope/telescope to delve deeper into the world around me. Ultimately, I did freak myself out a bit as I probably went too far but, in the end, everything seemed to simply boil down to love and fear and the realisation that all we see in this life is a manifestation of one of these opposing frequencies. I was also keenly aware, though, how the ego can pollute these kind of enquiries and mess everything up.
That might explain it.
Running to nearly 500 pages, this is a biography well worth tracking down.
Neil Fraser, 2018, Long Shadows, High Hopes: The Life and Times of Matt Johnson & The The. Omnibus Press. ISBN-13: 978-1785582301
⏩ Christopher Owens was a reviewer for Metal Ireland and finds time to study the history and inherent contradictions of Ireland. He is currently the TPQ Friday columnist and is the author of A Vortex of Securocrats and “dethrone god”.
Ten links to a diverse range of opinion that might be of interest to TPQ readers. They are selected not to invite agreement but curiosity. Readers can submit links to pieces they find thought provoking.
Before We Conform, Or Condemn, Let Us At Least Be Curious
♜One recognizes one's course by discovering the paths that stray from it - Albert Camus♞
Christy Walsh ✍ Step 1: Arrest a man in possession of a bomb at 1:35pm. Use the Parachute Regiment to keep custody of the bomb.
Step 2: Wait 15 minute.
Step 3: Arrest a second man at 1:50pm for possession of the same bomb.
Step 4: Secretly release Mr F and convict the second man. (Mr F was identified in undisclosed police files as a "known top IRA man").
Step 5: When the second man discovers undisclosed police files revealing the truth, construct a new version 35 years later: "joint enterprise and sequential possession".
This is not a how-to guide. It is the account that a High Court judgment, delivered in Belfast on 19th May 2026, asks us to accept as having occurred on Suffolk Road in 1991.
The Facts
At 1:35pm on 5th June 1991 a man identified as Mr F was arrested in possession of a coffee-jar bomb on Suffolk Road, Belfast. The Jar was placed on a wall, and soldiers took up cover positions.
I arrived at the scene at 1:50pm and was arrested by the soldiers. I testified under oath in 1992 that the bomb was already sitting on a nearby wall when I was stopped. The soldiers denied being in crouched cover positions when I arrived.
In 2008, I recovered undisclosed police and forensic files that Mr F had been caught in “possession of an explosive device (namely a blast bomb)”, signed by Detective Superintendent, Derek Martindale on 5th June 1991.
In March 2010, with no evidential basis, the Court accepted Mr F was arrested at 3:35pm in a follow-up operation. The prosecution told the Court that the time of Mr F's arrest, hours later, made no difference to my alleged possession.
In a Judgment in December 2025, the Court finally acknowledged the truth - contemporaneous police files confirmed Mr F was caught in possession of the coffee-jar bomb at 1:35pm, 15 minutes before I arrived at the scene.
On 19th May 2026, the Court reaffirmed that Mr F had possession of the bomb at 1:35pm on 5th June 1991. But the narrative about me has now changed after 35 years. The Court concluded in its judgment that Mr F and I were in "joint enterprise and sequential possession".
Because it is raised in the judgment for the first time, I was not given any opportunity to put up a defence. I did not, and do not, know Mr F. I only discovered his existence while going through files in the NI Forensic Science Laboratory on 2nd February 2008.
The Judgment fails to answer a crucial detail - how did Mr F transfer the bomb to me while he and the bomb were already in custody for a full 15 minutes before I arrived at the scene?
The Court’s solution: "Joint enterprise and sequential possession". But that requires Mr F and I knew each other and came into contact to make the exchange.
The Judgment creates this absurdity, for the bomb in Mr F's possession to 'sequentially' pass into my possession 15 minutes later - members of the Parachute Regiment were the conduit.
Paradoxically, the Court’s reasoning now corroborates my own evidence in 1992: that the device was already sitting on the wall when I arrived at the scene.
One Man, One Bomb
The Crown prosecution's case from 1991 until 19th May 2026 was that I acted alone. No prosecutor, no respondent, and no court in thirty-five years of proceedings ever advanced a case of "joint enterprise and sequential possession" between me and anyone else.
I had no opportunity to answer a case I did not know was being constructed against me, because it was created in my absence for the first time in the Judgment itself, after the hearing had closed.
On 7th December 1992, I was wrongfully convicted of possession of an explosive device. On 16th March 2010, the Court of Appeal found my conviction unsafe. On 19th May 2026, the Court denied me victim status by finding me implicitly guilty of two entirely different charges that were never prosecuted, namely, 1) joint enterprise and 2) sequential possession of an explosive device - involving a 'top IRA man' who was never charged, tried or convicted, despite his identity and possession being known at least 15 minutes before I arrived at the scene.
Step 2: Wait 15 minute.
Step 3: Arrest a second man at 1:50pm for possession of the same bomb.
Step 4: Secretly release Mr F and convict the second man. (Mr F was identified in undisclosed police files as a "known top IRA man").
Step 5: When the second man discovers undisclosed police files revealing the truth, construct a new version 35 years later: "joint enterprise and sequential possession".
This is not a how-to guide. It is the account that a High Court judgment, delivered in Belfast on 19th May 2026, asks us to accept as having occurred on Suffolk Road in 1991.
The Facts
At 1:35pm on 5th June 1991 a man identified as Mr F was arrested in possession of a coffee-jar bomb on Suffolk Road, Belfast. The Jar was placed on a wall, and soldiers took up cover positions.
I arrived at the scene at 1:50pm and was arrested by the soldiers. I testified under oath in 1992 that the bomb was already sitting on a nearby wall when I was stopped. The soldiers denied being in crouched cover positions when I arrived.
In 2008, I recovered undisclosed police and forensic files that Mr F had been caught in “possession of an explosive device (namely a blast bomb)”, signed by Detective Superintendent, Derek Martindale on 5th June 1991.
In March 2010, with no evidential basis, the Court accepted Mr F was arrested at 3:35pm in a follow-up operation. The prosecution told the Court that the time of Mr F's arrest, hours later, made no difference to my alleged possession.
In a Judgment in December 2025, the Court finally acknowledged the truth - contemporaneous police files confirmed Mr F was caught in possession of the coffee-jar bomb at 1:35pm, 15 minutes before I arrived at the scene.
On 19th May 2026, the Court reaffirmed that Mr F had possession of the bomb at 1:35pm on 5th June 1991. But the narrative about me has now changed after 35 years. The Court concluded in its judgment that Mr F and I were in "joint enterprise and sequential possession".
Because it is raised in the judgment for the first time, I was not given any opportunity to put up a defence. I did not, and do not, know Mr F. I only discovered his existence while going through files in the NI Forensic Science Laboratory on 2nd February 2008.
The Judgment fails to answer a crucial detail - how did Mr F transfer the bomb to me while he and the bomb were already in custody for a full 15 minutes before I arrived at the scene?
The Court’s solution: "Joint enterprise and sequential possession". But that requires Mr F and I knew each other and came into contact to make the exchange.
The Judgment creates this absurdity, for the bomb in Mr F's possession to 'sequentially' pass into my possession 15 minutes later - members of the Parachute Regiment were the conduit.
Paradoxically, the Court’s reasoning now corroborates my own evidence in 1992: that the device was already sitting on the wall when I arrived at the scene.
One Man, One Bomb
The Crown prosecution's case from 1991 until 19th May 2026 was that I acted alone. No prosecutor, no respondent, and no court in thirty-five years of proceedings ever advanced a case of "joint enterprise and sequential possession" between me and anyone else.
I had no opportunity to answer a case I did not know was being constructed against me, because it was created in my absence for the first time in the Judgment itself, after the hearing had closed.
On 7th December 1992, I was wrongfully convicted of possession of an explosive device. On 16th March 2010, the Court of Appeal found my conviction unsafe. On 19th May 2026, the Court denied me victim status by finding me implicitly guilty of two entirely different charges that were never prosecuted, namely, 1) joint enterprise and 2) sequential possession of an explosive device - involving a 'top IRA man' who was never charged, tried or convicted, despite his identity and possession being known at least 15 minutes before I arrived at the scene.
⏩ Christy Walsh was stitched up by the British Ministry of Defence in a no jury trial and spent many years in prison as a result.
Anthony McIntyre ⚽Jay was In England with his mates watching Manchester City continue to breathe down the neck of Arsenal so didn't make this game.
Myself and Paddy walked over. He had things to do, didn't take the car, leaving us free to stop for one on the way to the game and maybe more than one after it. One led to another, causing us to be slightly late for the kickoff, but we didn't miss much. Paddy reckoned that if after the game we make our way home pub by pub the journey seems shorter. By the time I reached my front door I found myself in agreement with him.
In all, we hit four pubs on the night.
Derry was the opposition at Sullivan and Lambe so we were interested to see what reception former Drogs favourite Darragh Markey would receive. Drogs fans are not known for their generosity to former stars who return as opponents. We arrived a few minutes late so if there were any boos or jeers we missed them. When he was substituted in the second half a few of the home support on our side of the ground applauded him. So, so it seems he is not regarded as an out of favour prodigal son.
Sitting in the bar just before kick off I expressed my view that Drogheda would find it tough going but for Paddy, Derry had not been serving up top of the table performances, so he predicted a Drogs win. The stats appeared to be with him. Derry had come to Louth having won a mere two of their previous eleven league games, and had only beaten the Drogs once in eight previous outings.
As we settled into the game it soon dawned on us that the Drogs were going to assume their usual defensive posture despite showing what they could do at Tolka Park when they took a more assertive stance and rattled in four. While Derry seemed to have most of the play in the first forty five they failed to turn it into any real dominance, up front seeming lacklustre and toothless.
The second half opened up promising for the visitors, with Tally in the Drogheda goal forced to make a double block before Derry dozed off again. A penalty, sweetly struck home by Ryan Brennan, again wearing the captain's armband, aroused them out of their slumber. A rasping shot from one of the Candy Stripe subs smashed against the bar. The effort deserved a goal - and a great one it would have been - but it wasn't Derry's night.
While the Drogs just about won I fear for them. Losing to Waterford on Monday - the first victory for The Blues this season - on the heels of losing to Bohemians has placed the claret and blue in a precarious position. I seriously feel they face relegation. They currently sit one above the relegation zone but with uninspiring performances it is by no means certain that Sligo will not overtake them, leaving them to slog it out in the play offs. In their current form, they cannot be assured of the type of convincing victory secured against Bray Wanderers last time around. That came on the back of a cup win six days earlier, meaning they were buoyed up. Hard to see that type of exuberance this season.
Tomorrow night's home meeting with arch derby rivals Dundalk is a game the Drogs need to win if they are to inspire confidence amongst their fans that fingernails will not be bitten down to the quick come November.
Many of these activities which are detrimental to the Planet Earth such as more airplanes in the air, an increase in space exploration, are openly encouraged by world governments. We are witnessing what can only be described as accelerated climate change, meaning the actions of the global capitalist class are having a severe effect on the planet and the climate with changes happening on an almost yearly basis! I say this partly through my socialism and partly because I happen to live here just like the rest of the human race.
Global constitutional political leaders speak with what native Americans called a “forked tongue,” speaking with double meanings or, in plain language, telling lies. One moment they are encouraging the rest of us, those stupid enough to listen and believe them, to reduce our ‘carbon footprint’ and in the next sentence they are glorifying the vandalising antics of people like Elon Musk and Richard Branson along with other members of the space cowboy club. In the Twenty-Six-Counties we regularly hear politicians tell us how to help save the planet with some meaningless scheme, like paying for plastic carriers, while the next minute recommending another runway at Dublin Airport. When the CEO of Ryan Air, Michael O’Leary, demands the passenger cap be lifted on the number of passengers passing through Dublin Airport he gets his way. An increase in passengers means an increase in airplanes and the pollution they bring. All hypocrites every one of them. From New York to London, from Moscow to Dublin to Tokyo they are all a waste of space as they set about being seen to be concerned and doing something about climate change while all the while protecting the profits of the capitalist class. Every now and again we get an honest person: a rarity, granted, but they do exist!
One such man is British naturalist, David Attenborough, who turned 100 years of age on Friday 8th May 2026. Attenborough has been and continues to be a brilliant man in his field and has been one of the few to speak of protecting our planet, and meaning it. David Attenborough first came to prominence in 1954 when he produced and narrated Zoo Quest broadcast by the BBC between December 1954 and May 1963. Since he hosted Zoo Quest, his career has spanned eight decades (including the fifties) and programmes which include Natural World, Wildlife on One, Planet Earth, Blue Planet and Frozen Planet have proved very popular.
On many of his programmes David Attenborough has stressed the fragility of our planet and the need to conserve and look after the place which provides us all with a home, Planet Earth. Instead of heeding this advice the capitalist class totally ignore it and continue making huge profits irrespective of the damage they are causing to the planet. Then they come up with looney ideas about finding another planet to live on after they finally hammer the last nail into Earth's coffin. While they look for another planet for a few of the mega rich to relocate and in all likelihood start the whole rotten process over again they are causing more and more damage to the atmosphere by constantly travelling through it. If they do find another planet, and it is a huge if, only a few thousand of the world’s richest and their chosen political lackeys will be allowed to make the journey. The rest of us will be left on a ball of overheating pollution to exist on. Attenborough tends to keep out of geopolitics but in its generic sense he says a lot politically which should be listened to. Politics generically speaking covers every aspect of life because the subject covers much more than party politics, parliamentary and non-parliamentary politics, but all walks of life including, even especially, the future of Planet Earth.
Many political decisions taken to protect the reservoir in which the capitalist predatory fish swim and are taken to increase these brigands profits are also damaging to our planet. Though David Attenborough stays clear of outright criticism on these decisions he condemns them between the lines. It is not so much what he says but perhaps what he does not. Most of these political decisions are a farce and if not so serious laughable, for example, telling people to buy expensive electric cars to help protect the planet then giving the go ahead for more air transport to land at the already fuel emitting and planetary damaging airports. How do they keep a straight face?
Many political decisions taken to protect the reservoir in which the capitalist predatory fish swim and are taken to increase these brigands profits are also damaging to our planet. Though David Attenborough stays clear of outright criticism on these decisions he condemns them between the lines. It is not so much what he says but perhaps what he does not. Most of these political decisions are a farce and if not so serious laughable, for example, telling people to buy expensive electric cars to help protect the planet then giving the go ahead for more air transport to land at the already fuel emitting and planetary damaging airports. How do they keep a straight face?
Irrespective of what these parliamentary semi-imbeciles decide the international bourgeoisie and groups like the Bilderberg Organisation will do as they please anyway. For this reason these groups prefer right-wing governments to those with any left-wing credentials. Right-wing politics and corporatism, where countries are governed as a company, are preferred by the bourgeoisie and they keep such ideologies in their armoury in case, as was the case in Chile 1973, socialism is democratically voted for, when the electorate voted the wrong way against bourgeois interests. International capitalism appears to care very little for our planet probably because they believe their own bullshit about living elsewhere on another planet. Maybe this is the case, maybe not, but one thing is for sure when this planet finally calls time on us the bourgeoisie will perish with the rest of us as will their billions and science fiction ideas about living elsewhere will not save the greedy minority! If as much money was to be invested in sensible planet preservation schemes as are spent on these barmy ideas, we may have a fighting chance.
On one of his programmes dedicated to preserving our planet David Attenborough quite categorically stated regards looking after the planet; “Many individuals are doing what they can” to help our planet but “real success can only come about if we change our societies, our economics, and our politics”. This observation by the centenarian is spot on especially economics and economies geared solely to the profits of the few. The rest of us are blindly led to believe this economy belongs to all of us. It does not! When governments speak of the economy they speak of the wealthy and only the profits amassed by these planet damaging parasites. Attenborough continued; “surely we have a responsibility to future generations to leave behind a planet which is healthy, which is habitable for all species”.
On one of his programmes dedicated to preserving our planet David Attenborough quite categorically stated regards looking after the planet; “Many individuals are doing what they can” to help our planet but “real success can only come about if we change our societies, our economics, and our politics”. This observation by the centenarian is spot on especially economics and economies geared solely to the profits of the few. The rest of us are blindly led to believe this economy belongs to all of us. It does not! When governments speak of the economy they speak of the wealthy and only the profits amassed by these planet damaging parasites. Attenborough continued; “surely we have a responsibility to future generations to leave behind a planet which is healthy, which is habitable for all species”.
These responsibilities we are not honouring and not only the capitalist class but the rest of us for blindly going along with their polluting and damaging schemes. When Musk launches another space programme many of us, instead of being appalled, look on in stupid wonder at this great man who is burning our houses down! Leaving Musk and Branson aside in Brazil the tropical rainforests are being cut down to make space for developments at an alarming rate. The loss of the trees not only denies the natural fauna their habitat but also removes another chunk of the planet’s lungs. Without plant life, particularly trees, the human race and other mammals will be unable to breath. This should be of major concern to all of us, but is it?
David Attenborough has seen many changes in the natural world, many not nice, since he presented Zoo Quest all those years ago. He has given over the years countless warnings about the fragility of Planet Earth very few of which have been seriously heeded. He is now 100 years old and with a lifetime dedication behind him should be listened to now more than ever before. His knowledge in this field is second to none and if he says our planet is in a perilous condition he should be taken very, very seriously.
I remember watching him some months ago when his centenary was approaching and he looked very much at ease, much younger than his years, as he accepted his time was probably “almost up”. He still spoke, and, I hope, will continue to speak calmly about the planet he loves and the biodiversity, including humans, which share earth as home.
Only one species, and a minority of them at that, are hell bent on global destruction accelerating the normal climatic changes which have occurred over the millions of years of Earth's existence so they now come at an unstoppable pace. Maybe there is still time with a complete change of direction away from profit, profit, profit moving the emphasis to preservation, preservation, preservation.
David Attenborough maintains it “may not yet be too late” with a change in economic and political direction with the way we conduct ourselves in general changing accordingly. This direction of travel must begin now, right now, but will it? It is time David Attenborough and those who follow in his wake, other naturalists, be listened to and advice followed before the planet calls ‘last orders at the bar.’
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| Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist. |
Ten links to a diverse range of opinion that might be of interest to TPQ readers. They are selected not to invite agreement but curiosity. Readers can submit links to pieces they find thought provoking.
Before We Conform, Or Condemn, Let Us At Least Be Curious
♜One recognizes one's course by discovering the paths that stray from it - Albert Camus♞
Remembering Raymond McCreesh And Patsy O'Hara On The 45th Anniversary Of Their Death On Hunger Strike In The H Blocks Of Long Kesh.
The issue is Not his views. I may profoundly disagree with most of his views, but I will defend his right to express them in a free society. The issue is that in his interviews he is increasingly coming across as unhinged, not rational, and showing signs of serious mental health issues. That can happen to campaigners on all sides of debates. People believe in causes so absolutely, and encounter such hostility that they become quite disturbed, irrational and show signs of a mental health crisis.
The media in the past would avoid covering some people here they showed increasing evidence of psychological disturbance, or alcoholism, or something that meant they lacked normal self-control - and were often not able to handle media exposure.
The media in the past would avoid covering some people here they showed increasing evidence of psychological disturbance, or alcoholism, or something that meant they lacked normal self-control - and were often not able to handle media exposure.
British politician Lord George-Brown, one-time British Foreign Secretary, was an extreme alcoholic. The media increasingly did not cover him as he was often not in control, unaware of what he was saying, and often could not cope with the pressures of coverage. Editors chose not to exploit a sick man for headlines.
The media struggled in knowing how cover Lib-Dem leader Charles Kennedy. Kennedy was brilliant, but a raging alcoholic. They did not know how to cover someone who was simultaneously leader of a party and in a dangerous state mentally and physically due to his alcoholism.
In Ireland, journalists struggled with covering Noel Browne in his latter years, as his worst characteristics (paranoia, a determination to get revenge, the breakdown in coverage) overwhelmed his many best characteristics. In 1990, furious that Labour had picked Mary Robinson and not him to become its presidential candidate, he began a vitriolic campaign against Robinson in press releases and letters to the editor. Much of what his said was provably untrue and heavily defamatory so could not be published. Journalists decided not to cover his behaviour at all - concluding rightly that he was not mentally well and covering it could make his situation worse.
I can think of a prominent journalist turned right wing campaigner who increasingly demonstrated serious mental health issues - so much so that their own family pleaded with them to get treatment. The media stopped covering that person. They were not being censored for the their views, as others with those views were being covered. It was that pretty much everyone realised that individual was not mentally OK, and needed psychological help, not press exposure.
I have listened to a few of Graham's interviews. I disagreed with much of what he said, but that is not the issue. I would be perfectly OK hearing someone else saying those things, and being challenged on them. However Graham Linehan is clearly not mentally well (I say this as someone with my own mental health issues). He has suffered the loss of his own wife, family and career over his behaviour, and both sides on the issues he pushes can be vicious and brutal. He appears to be in a bad psychological state. He clearly is not able to handle the stress.
As such he needs help, not media exposure or more attacks. The real fear is that in his vulnerable state he may end up driven to the ultimate act many with mental health issues try when they feel they cannot cope any more.
⏩ Jim Duffy is a writer-historian.
The Romani Holocaust survivor painted boots, barbed wire, smoke and smiling soldiers. As the daughter of survivors, the images felt horrifyingly familiar.
Stojka painted metaphorical fire and people flying through flames. In Gaza, a world has vanished in smart bombs and foolish bombings. Credit : Rainer Jensen / DPA / AFP
The paintings and drawings of artist, activist, writer, lyricist and Holocaust survivor Ceija Stojka are currently on display at The Drawing Center in New York City.
Comprising more than 60 works, the exhibition « Ceija Stojka : Making Visible » is gripping from the moment your eyes fall upon it. Surprising, yet familiar. Each piece on its own, and all of them together. From the figurative to the expressive and almost abstract, the paintings convey the horror Stojka experienced as a child : the boundless cruelty and power she faced, the beauty of nature desecrated and corrupted by that evil, and the erasure of every living person.
I am a daughter of survivors. Every painting and drawing by Stojka told me something about my parents that I had never asked them, or had forgotten, or suppressed.
To view more paintings by Ceija Stojka click here
Continue @ ESSF.
Seamus Kearney 🎤 'I know the path i ought to go,
I follow fearlessly.
Inquiring not what deeper woe,
Stern duty stores for me'. Emily Bronte.
After holding a commemoration Mass for Michael in late June 2003 in a packed Saint Oliver Plunkett Church, Lenadoon, West Belfast, I noticed Michael's Company OC sitting in one of the pews at the back. When I approached him he smiled and said, ' You done well big lad. If something like this had have happened to me, I would want a brother like you to find out what happened and to never give up.' I replied that my journey in finding the truth about Michael was really just beginning and assured him that I was' fit for battle '. We parted company with a handshake.
When I attended my next meeting with the strategic' think tank' of former comrades in August 2003, we discussed whether to accept the outcome of the 16 month long IRA investigation into Michael's execution, in light of what Brendan Hughes had told me. One of those at the meeting pointed out that Michael may have been cleared but the people who had interrogated him were British agents, therefore by default ' the whole waterhole had been poisoned'. He went on to state that not only was the Internal Security Unit ( ISU) compromised but also those on the periphery of the ISU as well.
A second member of my team agreed and suggested I withdraw from any further meetings with the IRA leadership. I already knew things weren't sitting right with Michael's case and repeatedly told the two IRA personnel that, but felt I was being stonewalled to some degree. However, I finally told the team that i would go along with the 'sanitised version' concerning Michael because my Mother wasn't going to live forever and I wanted to give her closure and peace of mind before she died. That was my reasoning for my alignment to the IRA 's version of events surrounding Michael, whether right or wrong.
In one of my many conversations with my Mother I specifically recall her reflecting on her life and being left a widow with four children. She said:
I never brought Michael into the world for anyone to take him away from me for no apparent reason. But I can now go to my grave knowing that my son' s good name and honour has been restored.
The final meeting with the IRA leadership took place in September 2003 at an undisclosed location. The two senior IRA investigating officers informed me that an agreed text between the Kearney family and the IRA' s Army Council, (joint Army / Family statement), was ready for public release. They also added that this would be the final meeting and if I had any further questions then they would attempt to answer them.
In response i asked them 2 simple questions:
- Was Freddie Scappaticci, one of the men who had interrogated my brother, a British agent?
- Was Volunteer Michael Kearney executed for compromising the Short Strand bombs in March 1979?
Their reply was terse. In relation to Freddie Scappaticci they said 'the man is innocent until proven guilty' and 'Michael Kearney was not executed in relation to the Short Strand bombs'.
I immediately interjected and told them that Freddie Scappaticci was a British military officer and not IRA personnel and secondly Michael was executed in relation to the Short Strand bombs. A Mexican stand off ensued and the atmosphere changed dramatically for a moment, before the final meeting was drawn to a close.
Subsequently, the 'sanitised version' of events went ahead and the 'joint Army / Family' statement was released through the local press, as I planned phase 2 of the operation to clear my brother's name fully and expose the British agents lurking in the undergrowth.
 |
| Seamus Kearney is a former Blanketman and author of No Greater Love - The Memoirs of Seamus Kearney. |
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