Paddy McIlkenny, a fighter for justice
By Alex Maskey
BY THE time the Birmingham Six were released they were
an international cause celebre. However, this followed
sixteen years of torture, demonisation and
imprisonment, brutal times for the prisoners personally
and undoubtedly their families.
But from the beginning there were those in high places
who knew of their innocence, there were those who were
uncertain yet frightened into silence and there were
those who continued to villify the prisoners.
In many ways Paddy McIlkenny was a lone voice. Despite
the real fear for his own safety and amidst the
anti-Irish hysteria, Paddy took on the world to prove
that his brother and the others were innocent.
With sheer determination and disregard for himself and
his own family, Paddy was an inspiration. Who believed
then, so many years ago, that `ordinary' people could
take on the governments, establishment and media in
what was described as a hopeless campaign to prove the
Birmingham Six innocent?
After all, they confessed, were convicted as guilty and
lost appeal after appeal. The churches were silent, the
Dublin Government was silent and to their shame many
sat idly by. But not Paddy.
d while the Birmingham Six had a dedicated core of
supporters who worked tirelessy for their release,
Paddy McIlkenny stood out.
In the times that were in it, even here in Belfast
there were many doors closed to anyone fighting for
justice, Paddy had many of those doors slammed in his
face. But he never gave up. He tramped the streets,
changed people's opinions and helped motivate many
others to defend victims of injustice.
He travelled and gathered support locally and abroad.
The thousands of ordinary people who stood by Paddy and
the Six showed that justice can be won.
It is hard to believe that the Birmingham Six would not
now be free were it not for the efforts of those like
Paddy McIlkenny. The news of their release must have
been just about the best moment in his life.
I say ``just about'' because after all he married Breige
and had two sons, Patrick and Alan. In expressing
condolences to you Breige and your family, the sympathy
of our community is with you all.
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