John Hemsworth

John Hemsworth - On July the 7th 1997 John Hemsworth made his way home through the Clonard area of west Belfast from an evening out with friends. Earlier that day the RUC had forced an Orange parade along the Garvaghy Road after the long stand off. Trouble had flared in nationalist districts. 

As John walked home late that evening he happened upon an RUC riot squad in waiting. He was stopped and without reason immediately set upon by several RUC members.

John received lacerations and bruising to his body, and his jaw was fractured. On release from hospital he engaged a lawyer to take action against the RUC. Initially the RUC denied causing assault and being in the area. Witnesses clearly stated that the RUC were in the area and that they had fired plastic bullets in an attempt to provoke a riot. One was fired within a complex that houses elderly and disabled people.

Eventually the RUC appointed an officer to conduct an internal inquiry. Before it concluded John collapsed and was admitted to hospital on December 27th 1997 suffering from respiratory problems. On New Year's Day John died from a brain haemorrhage. He was 37 years-old. 

The assault on John was without question a contributing factor to his untimely death. Medical records show no previous sign or indication that would give rise for concern in terms of John's health. We asked Amnesty International to examine the case. Amnesty sent a pathologist to speak with the family, the lawyer and to study the medical history and autopsy report. 

His conclusion, based upon the injuries received earlier at the hands of the RUC, was that the cause of death was directly related to the damage and delayed triggering of a nerve connected to the jaw which was in turn responsible for the haemorrhage.