“Since 1970 seventeen people killed [by rubber and plastic bullets] – including 8 children.” Central is Norah McCabe, along with Julie Livingstone, Brian Stewart, and Carol Ann Kelly; on the left are John Downes and Keith White, a Protestant killed in Portadown in 1986.
Islandbawn Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Richard Mussen joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (27th foot) at the age of 15. At the outbreak of the Zulu wars he volunteered for active service and was transferred to the Second Battalion The South Wales Borderers (24th foot). At the outbreak of the Great War he joined the 9th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles and with him went his 4 sons and 2 sons-in-law. His son Richard (junior) was killed at the Somme on Thursday 21st March, 1918 and is remembered at Pozieres Memorial. Richard Mussen was buried from 22 Dundee Street [which was just above Agnes Street] on 29/12/1936 and was accorded full Military Honours. He was laid to rest in Belfast City Cemetery.” (From the accompanying plaque.)
Here is a short NVTv documentary about Mussen, including (at 12m25s) the image on which the mural shown here is based. The mural was done with spray paint by artist Sam Bates a.k.a. SMUG. It was unveiled on June 24th, 2011.
For some close-ups and the plaque, see the 2016 post.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“MOD deny our troops a well deserved homecoming parade. We as a community need to stand together as one and show our support for those who have sacrificed their lives and served this Country. Please show your support for these brave servicemen and women at Belfast City Hall on Sunday May 22nd 2011. Everyone will be meeting at 12 noon at the Shankill Memorial Gardens and walking to Belfast City Hall. If you care be there.”
For a little background, see this BBC article.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The troops in question are British forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, though the withdrawal of troops from Iraq had just taken place (on May 22) prior to the photographing of the image above (June 26).
Charlotte Street, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Julie Livingstone aged 14 yrs. Murdered by the British Army 13th May 1981.” “The Stolen Child – Come away, O human child/To the waters and the wild/With a faery hand in hand/For the world’s more full of weeping/Than you can understand! – WB Yeats.” Livingstone was killed by a plastic bullet.
There is also a stone and plaque near the spot she was struck, on the Stewartstown Road.
Glenveagh Drive, Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The photograph of a stretchered soldier giving a ‘thumbs up’ (shown below) was set up and photographed by Captain Ed Hodges of the King’s Royal Hussars in Basra, Iraq, in 2007 (Daily Mail). In silhouette (as shown here) it has become the icon of the Help For Heroes charity raising money for British forces.
Update: also used in Ebor Street in 2012.
Moltke Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Sean Savage, Maıréad Farrell, and Dan McCann were “Executed by the British SAS 6th March 1988.”
“Oh! Cold March winds that pierce the dark/You cry in aged tones/For souls of folk you’ve brought to God/But still you bear the moans//Oh! Weeping winds, this lonely night/My mother’s heart is sore/Oh! Lord of all, breathe freedom’s breath/That she may weep no more! – Bobby Sands Weeping Winds“
Replaces the painted board seen in 2001.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Faugh-a-ballagh” (from the Irish “Fág an bhealach”, “clear the way”) is the regimental motto of the Royal Irish Regiment. It is said to date back to 1811, when it was used by ensign Edward Keogh of the 87th Prince Of Wales’s Irish regiment. See also: Colonel Tim Collins, commander of the first battalion, who made a famous speech on the eve of the Iraq invasion | Talavera 1809.
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Copyright © 2004 Extramural Activity
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Extramural Activity 