On Thursday, November 15, 2018, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer met with Ms. Carmel Quinn, sister of Ballymurphy victim John Laverty. Mr. Laverty was killed in an incident called the “Ballymurphy Massacre” that occurred at the start of British government’s policy of internment without trial in Northern Ireland. Over the course of three days, members of the British Army’s Parachute Regiment killed 11 unarmed civilians. Besides Ms. Quinn’s brother among the victims were a Catholic Priest and a 45 year old mother of eight. Ms. Quinn and the families of the victims have been seeking accountability for these unwarranted deaths for the past 47 years, an inquest into the killing has only recently convened.
Ms. Quinn is currently visiting America with her husband Tom on tour organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in cooperation with Relatives for Justice. After meeting with Ms. Quinn and representative of the AOH and Irish American Unity Conference, Senator Schumer released the following statement:
“Justice has been too long delayed for the innocent victims of the Ballymurphy Massacre, and I am proud to join today with Ms. Carmel Quinn, sister of victim John Laverty, to call for a full, independent international inquiry into these unjustified killings of civilians by British paratroopers in 1971. I applaud the AOH for the ongoing advocacy for peace and justice in the north of Ireland and will work with them, the Irish American community and the Ballymurphy Families to advance the efforts to finally achieve justice for all the Ballymurphy victims. And we shall continue the work to build the support here in America to advance a just, inclusive and equal society throughout all of Ireland.”
The Ancient Order of Hibernians thanks Senator Schumer for his constant support of the cause of justice for the families of the Ballymurphy Massacre victims and all those seeking the truth as part of the legacy of the Troubles
