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RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AUTHORITIES AND LOYALIST PARAMILITARY ORGANISATIONS

TURNING A BLIND EYE A State in Denial was published by Mercier Press in 2016 in which the story of the British State and its forces and their relationship with loyalist paramilitaries in the 1970s and early 1980s, was told. This paper explores new information that has come to light mainly through...

2023 Henry Cunningham Essay Competition

The Pat Finucane Centre is delighted to announce their final Henry Cunningham annual essay competition. This is part of a ten-year award project secured through the Department of Foreign Affairs in memory of Carndonagh teenager Henry Cunningham who was tragically killed in August 1973. This essay is...

FAMILY VIGIL AT COURTS IN BELFAST TO OPPOSE "LEGACY" BILL

Families bereaved in the conflict gathered at the courts buildings in Belfast on 17 April to say "Yes" to the Good Friday Agreement but a resounding "No" to London's proposals to bar all access to the courts, inquests, civil actions. The "In Their Footsteps" exhibition was on display and attracted...

PRESS STATEMENT in relation to the settlement of the Campbell family Civil Case, Monday 21 November 2022

There is something wrong with a society that forces the widow and children of Pat Campbell to have to take legal action against elements of that state to get some small level of satisfaction for the pain and hurt that was visited on the family late in the evening of Monday 29 October 1973 by then...

Cousin of Murder Victim, Sean Brown, speaks out against "Legacy Bill"

The Murder of Sean Brown: Inherited Trauma in Northern Ireland: Twenty-five years have now passed since the murder of my father’s cousin, Sean Brown. The Troubles legacy bill does nothing to heal my family’s inherited trauma.

File with PPS after soldier interview- McGreanery Case Update

This article by Kevin Mullan is from the Derry Journal 16.09.22 A British soldier has been interviewed under caution in connection with the fatal shooting of William McGreanery in 1971. A file has been sent to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to consider whether or not charges should be brought...

'Comfortable in his Coffin'

A 10 year-old Belfast boy was killed by a plastic bullet fired by a British soldier in 1975 - one of 17 people who died from this ammunition during The Troubles. A coroner has now slammed the Ministry of Defence for failing to change its Rules of Engagement in time.

'The Impact on our Family was Colossal' Billy McGreanery

This article by Kevin Mullen appeared in the Derry Journal on 19th September 2022 William McGreanery’s nephew says each time he is interviewed about his uncle he is transported back to his 13 year old self. “Everytime you are involved with an interview or something happens you have to take yourself...

'I want the truth of my da's death' Jennifer Duffy

No one was brought to justice for the death of Harry Duffy. Now his family fear new legacy legislation means no one ever will.

Statement from the family of John Pat Cunningham after the unveiling of a memorial to Dennis Hutchings at Palace Barracks

This week (20.09.22) the PFC wrote to the NIO seeking a response to the two statements released by the family of John Pat Cunningham, reproduced below. At the family's request we have asked the new Secretary of State, Chris Heaton -Harris, for a response. STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF JOHN PAT...

Publications

Cover of new book, 'UDR Declassified', showing armed UDR man at a vehicle checkpoint in Northern Ireland

UDR Declassified

Micheál Smith
Fermanagh: From Plantation to Peace Process

Fermanagh: From Plantation to Peace Process

Margaret Urwin
Impact of the Parachute Regiment 1970-173

The Impact of the Parachute Regiment in Belfast 1970-73

Micheál Smith
Migration Report

Protestant Migration from the West Bank of Derry / Londonderry 1969-1980

Dr Ulf Hansson and Dr Helen McLaughlin
Anatomy of a Cover up

Anatomy of a Cover-up

PFC Report on the deaths of Gary English & Jim Brown, 19 April 1981
A State in Denial

A State in Denial

Margaret Urwin
Counter Gangs

Counter-Gangs

Margaret Urwin
Gerald Donaghey

Gerald Donaghey

Conal McFeely
Lethal Allies Cover

Lethal Allies

Anne Cadwallader

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Unquiet Graves

Uncovering Britain’s Secret War in Ireland.

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Explore our work

Find out more about our work by exploring the categories below

Collusion

Collusion is any act, or omission of an act, in which state agents encourage or engage in criminal actions with illegal forces. It can never...
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Criminal Justice

The criminal justice system is the system of law enforcement used for all stages of criminal proceedings and punishment. It includes the...
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European Convention on Human Rights

The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, better known as the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)...
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Truth Recovery

The PFC believes that bereaved families have a right to truth and justice. We advocate for an independent truth recovery process that is...
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State Violence

PFC believe that the British state’s failure to uphold the principle that no one is above the law was the single greatest factor creating...
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Prison

Maghaberry Prison in particular has been dogged by controversies around humiliating strip searches, association among politically motivated...
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MI5

The security service MI5 has had overall responsibility for security in the North since August 2007. In August 2007 the British Security...
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Glenanne / Lethal Allies

Drawing on over 15 years of research by the PFC, and using forensic and ballistic information never before published, this book includes...
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Plastic Bullets / Tasers / CS Gas

17 people were killed during the conflict by members of the security forces firing plastic or rubber bullets/ batons. 8 of the 17 people...
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Legacy of Colonialism

Why would an Irish based human rights group produce an exhibit on the legacy of colonialism? And why here and why now? The question about...
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