A Modern Martyr

Feargal Keane's R4 programme Taking A Stand this morning interviewed Helen McKendry, daughter of Jean McConville, the mother of 10 who was abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972 for the crime of cradling in her arms a dying British soldier, shot in the Divis flats where she lived.

Even at the time PIRA realised that orphaning ten children wasn't good PR. They denied that she had been abducted or killed. The current republican story is that she was killed because she was an informer.

The head of Belfast IRA at the time was one Gerry Adams.

Helen McKendry has been campaigning since she grew up for justice for her mother, despite intimidation of her and her children. Grim but compelling listening. When there's a sound link (the BBC page isn't updated yet) I'll add it. It's here.

UPDATE - Mick Fealty at Slugger O'Toole has a sombre link to last year's funeral.