Birmingham Bombing Victims Remembered Fifty Years On
"The Irish Ambassador in solidarity shook hands with me”
November 25, 2024 by Irish Echo Staff
Belfast-based victims rights Campaigner Raymond McCord was among the attendees at the Birmingham gathering.
McCord said after the event: "Fantastic cross community support for the families of the 21 innocent civilians killed by the IRA in two Birmingham pub bombings 50 years ago. At a memorial on the 21st November in Birmingham England remembering the 50th anniversary both Protestant and Catholic victims from Northern Ireland had a wreath laid.
"I laid the wreath on behalf of John Teggart from Ballymurphy families, Kate Nash Bloody Sunday, Michael Gallagher Omagh bomb, Billy McManus Sean Graham's, Joe Campbell father Catholic RUC murdered, Cathy Mcilvenny sister raped and murdered, and myself whose son was murdered.
"A wreath showing solidarity and support for the Birmingham victims families. It was such an emotional occasion also attended by the Irish Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Again it shows the common purpose of truth and justice for all victims.
"No politics and certainly no hierarchy of victims. It was an honour and privilege to be invited and represent some victims from the Protestant and Catholic communities here in Northern Ireland.
"The Irish Ambassador in solidarity shook hands with me and we had a photograph taken together. Julie Hambleton from the Birmingham Pub Bombings families and Maurice from the Irish Association were so friendly and welcoming and the Birmingham Irish Association was the actual main organiser of the memorial. Hopefully the British government will give a long needed public inquiry into the bombings and stop hiding the truth."
