Plastic Bullet Families’ Respond to Orde Statement
Clara Reilly, chairperson of Relatives for Justice and the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets has, on behalf of families, said this evening:
“Tonight’s latest statement of acknowledgement by the Chief Constable that plastic and rubber bullets did take innocent lives, including those of 9 children, is a very welcome and significant development.
“In total the British Army and RUC injured thousands and took 17 lives with plastic and rubber bullets. While acknowledgement of innocence had been recognised in some courts no one representing the RUC/PSNI, the British army or the British government has until now acknowledged the hurt and pain caused by these weapons. This lack of acknowledgement compounded the pain of these families who have bravely and relentlessly campaigned for truth and justice for their loved ones and whose experience until now was dismissed and ignored.
“Hugh Orde’s statement is an important step in securing this acknowledgement. But this is only the first step in addressing the legacy of impunity that surrounds all of these killings. We now need the full truth about all of these killings. This will establish exactly what happened, hold those responsible for the impunity accountable and thereby allow for healing and recovery.
“We recognise that there are many other families also bereaved and injured by state violence and from across our society who need similar acknowledgement. Both Governments must now move swiftly to put in place processes for acknowledgment and truth recovery for everyone. The lessons must be learned from the terrible legacy of our conflict; only full acknowledgement and truth can secure this.
“It is evident from the Chief Constable’s statement that the Plastic Bullet remains a lethal weapon in the armoury of the PSNI and the British Army. As a lethal weapon with devastating consequences plastic bullets, or any lethal replacement such as Tasers, are completely unacceptable and constitute a breach of international human rights standards. The most vulnerable in our society continue to be most at risk from these weapons – especially children. It is highly regrettable that the Chief Constable did not take this opportunity to completely end the use of the plastic bullet.
“Statements which say that these weapons will not be used as a form of crowd control are welcome, however these weapons were not designed to be used in crowd control situations. Therefore we need this to be further clarified in light of the current guidelines, which are already supposed to be adhered to in the deployment of plastic bullets.
“Whilst today’s announcement is an important first step much more needs to be said and done by the PSNI, Policing Board, British Army and British Government. Victims and families need the full truth and, as required by the UN and other international human rights bodies, there must be a complete ban on these weapons. Our campaign to ensure plastic bullets are totally banned will continue.”
Today we wish everyone to remember those who have been injured and killed as a result of rubber and plastic bullets and their families:
Francis Rowntree
Aged 11yrs – Killed by a rubber bullet fired by the British army 24 April 1972
Tobias Molloy
Aged 18 yrs – Killed by a rubber bullet fired by the British army 16 July 1972
Thomas Friel
Age 21 Yrs – Killed by a rubber bullet fired by the British army 22 May 1973
Stephen Geddis
Age 10 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the British army 30 August 1975
Brian Stewart
Age 13 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the British army 4 October 1976
Michael Donnelly
Age 21 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the British army 10 August 1980
Paul Whitters
Age 15 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC 25 April 1981
Julie Livingstone
Age 14 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the British army 13 May 1981
Carol Ann Kelly
Age 12 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the British army 22 May 1981
Henry Duffy
Age 45 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the British army 22 May 1981
Nora McCabe
Age 30 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC 9 July 1981
Peter Doherty
Age 33 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the British army 24 July 1981
Peter McGuinness
Age 41 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC 8 August 1981
Stephen McConomy
Age 11 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the British army on 19 April 1982
John Downes
Age 23 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC 12 August 1984
Keith White
Age 20 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC 14 April 1986
Seamus Duffy
Age 15 yrs – Killed by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC 9 August 1989
