UK UK - Jean McConville, 38, Belfast, 7 Dec 1972

I've just seen this breaking news, I'm stunned at this development.
 
saw a little squib on the news crawl this morning---hooooooboy!!!
 
He might only have been arrested for this one crime, but he is responsible for considerably more. Hopefully justice will finally be served
 
I listened to Jean's son Michael being interviewed on the radio today. He was age 11 and abducted just after Jean because he'd seen who took her. He was tortured, and threatened with the death of other family members if he ever revealed what he saw. He never has, and says he wouldn't tell police even now - he's still certain he or his family members would be shot.

Michael also says he has seen her killers several times since then. The interview is still up on the BBC's website at the moment.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27234105
 
'Norther Ireland rocked...'

Indeed it is. But many are not surprised.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/05/01/uk-northernireland-adams-police-idUKKBN0DG1VO20140501

Bless her. She'd have known it was the end when they came for her the second time. And known what it would mean for her 10 children too, with father already dead. The children were scattered and the family broken.

Ireland's not been good at keeping children in care together. And as for what happened to unmarried mothers and their children.......:(
 
I listened to Jean's son Michael being interviewed on the radio today. He was age 11 and abducted just after Jean because he'd seen who took her. He was tortured, and threatened with the death of other family members if he ever revealed what he saw. He never has, and says he wouldn't tell police even now - he's still certain he or his family members would be shot.

Michael also says he has seen her killers several times since then. The interview is still up on the BBC's website at the moment.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27234105

I cannot begin to say what I feel about an organisation that tortures an 11 year old so badly that even now he won't reveal what he knows. That poor poor man, and family.
 
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness has issued a statement on the arrest on the Sinn Fein website, by the way.

As far as I can make out, he seems to be saying the arrest is all a dark plot by police, but he also fully supports the police. As well as Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein.

'Tisn't making an awful lot of sense to me, I'm afraid. And I've asked the nearby Irishman but he can't make much sense out of it either.

Shrug.

http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/29779
 
I don't like the way that statement mentioned lots of victims but didn't mention Jean the victim though - an unarmed widowed mother of 10, dragged from her home in front of her children and then killed.

Rest in peace Jean, you are in my thoughts.
 
From The Telegraph (Jan 14th, 2012):

Jean McConville: one of Belfast's stubborn ghosts
A mother of 10, she was 'disappeared' by the IRA in 1972. But she will not go away.


"Three weeks after her abduction, a young man called at the motherless household and, without explanation, handed the children a purse containing 52 pence and three rings.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...Conville-one-of-Belfasts-stubborn-ghosts.html

The article also mentions that, prior to her abduction, Jean went to the aid of a wounded British soldier and that the act may have antagonized local IRA operatives.
 
'Gerry Adams is being questioned up to 17 hours a day.'

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27272797

I'm a bit concerned if those reports are true - I can see accusations of duress if that's the case, which is the last thing police need. Adams has to be released or charged by 8pm tonight (in about 10 hours' time).
 
This is an article about convicted bomber Dolours price, who claimed she drove Jean over the border to her death, and bought her 'fish and chips (fries) and cigarettes' before she left her with her killers. Jean thought shewas being taken to a place of safety.

Dolours (who died of a suspected OD in 2013) stated point blank that Adams was an IRA commander at the time and gave the orders for the killing of Jean. She said her motive in coming forward was outrage at Adam's continued denials he was ever even a member of the IRA.

Dolours also said Jean was 'unpleasant'.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...behind-the-abductions-of-The-Disappeared.html
 
First Minister of NI has accused Sinn Fein of blackmailing police over the arrest of Adams; Sinn Fein's vehemently denied that and said people have every right to protest against an arrest, in a democracy.

There's a fear that The Troubles will erupt again if Sinn Fein withdraws its support of police in Northern Ireland.

I'm not sure if it was wise of the minister to speak out at this crucial moment, and I don't think police will apply for another extension myself - they'll either charge Adams by this evening or release him.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27272696
 
Does anyone know if dead people's words/interviews can be used as evidence in court cases? I don't mean statements they made to police, just any written/recorded interviews thay may have taken part in before their death?
 

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
87
Guests online
2,603
Total visitors
2,690

Forum statistics

Threads
590,011
Messages
17,928,979
Members
228,038
Latest member
shmoozie
Back
Top