Press Statement
Relatives for Justice (RFJ) in conjunction with the families of Patrick Mulvenna and Jim Bryson, who were shot and killed by the British army on 31 August 1973, are launching a family report this Friday 30th November 2018 at 7.30pm in Gort na Mona CLG.
The report compiled by RFJ with the families is a full account of available information as to what happened to their loved ones. It provides a narrative for families and an analysis of the wider context in which these killings occurred.
Patrick and Jim were IRA volunteers who were killed by the British army in disputed circumstances. The families, supported by RFJ, take the view that Patrick and Jim were victims of a shoot-to-kill policy carried out by the British state. The evidence contained in the report supports this view, including British army impunity from potential court proceedings, two occasions when the British army thought they had shot Jim Bryson on previous occasions and the fact that both Patrick and Jim had been shot in a car that was moving away from the shooter who was in a covert observation post. The shooting was in contravention of, at the time, “Yellow Card” procedures.
The families and Relatives For Justice are aware of the identity of the soldier who fired the shots, who was serving in the Royal Green Jackets and was decorated for his actions.
The report highlights the “light touch” investigations carried out by the Royal Military Police, an inquest and an Historical Enquiries Team (HET) report. All these investigations were deeply flawed and got nowhere near the truth.
The two families are seeking accountability and legal redress from the British state and Ministry of Defence for their loss. There was never a proper independent investigation into Jim and Patrick’s killings. They want to know the truth about what happened to Patrick and Jim rather than the constructed false narrative that was and is promoted by elements of the British state. The families deserve no less.
