Relatives for Justice today publishes a family report on the life and killing of Charles McGrillen, marking what would have been his 65th birthday.
Charlie was 26 years old when he was shot dead in a sectarian attack in March 1988 as he arrived for work at Dunnes Stores on the Annadale Embankment. He was a young husband, a trade union activist, and the father of a toddler daughter.
More than three decades on, his absence continues to be felt across the lives of his family.
This report brings together Charlie’s story, the circumstances of his killing, and the long and often frustrating journey his family have faced in seeking truth and accountability. It also highlights serious concerns around how the case was handled and the broader context in which it occurred.
Recent efforts to secure a renewed investigation through the Police Ombudsman were brought to an end following the introduction of the Legacy Act, leaving the family without a clear or trusted pathway to truth.
In that absence, families continue to do this work themselves, documenting, remembering, and refusing to let the truth be lost.
This report is a testament to that.
Relatives for Justice pays tribute to Catherine and Charlene — to their strength, their dignity, and their determination over decades to seek answers about what happened to Charlie.
The report can be read here Charles McGrillen Family Report
