Member Reviews
If you watched the film "In The Name of The Father", then you`re familiar with the Guildford bombings and The Guildford Four. If not, here`s a brief summary of what has happened:
During the seventies, the IRA became infamous for carrying out bombings and shootings against the Brits. The majority of this terror took place in Northern Ireland, mostly in Belfast, and the IRA targeted mostly those of significance and influence. The problem was, that the IRA felt ignored for a long time, they needed the eyes of the world on them. So they moved their activities upon British soil. Then one day in 1974 two bombs exploded in two pubs, in which army and police officers were known to visit. What happened next is a real shit show. Many call it a gross miscarriage of justice, but that's a very modest and polite euphemism.
The famous Guildford Four refers to four people arrested on suspicion of carrying out the bombings. But they were innocent, and, what`s worse, the police knew that perfectly well even before the trial started. The interrogations that took place are sad proof, that when angry men have power over the vulnerable, they won´t hesitate to use it—the beatings, the torture, the inducing sleep deprivation, etc.
The whole case is shocking not only because innocent people were locked up for 15 years, but also because those who were wrong and hurt the innocent are free, and always have been free of charges. Today, 50 years since the bombings and 30 years after the release of The Guildford Four the files that were supposed to be released to the public, The Home Office locked up once again.
Congratulations to the author for his relentless pursuit of this case. The people mustn`t forget about this case. We owe this to the victims, to the innocent, and to the authorities. Yes, authorities. We always must look at the authorities' hands. And for as long as we keep this case alive in the public eyes, as long the authorities will feel the pressure. We must make them accountable for what they have done to the innocent. Maybe it`s too late for The Guildford Four, but perhaps we can avoid something like this happening ever again.