Andersontown News, August, 2, 2002, http://www.irelandclick.com/

Ardoyne victims’ book tells the truth

The issue of victims is in the spotlight with the impending launch of a major publication telling the stories of the 99 victims of the Troubles in Ardoyne. The Ardoyne Commemoration Project has been working on the book entitled Ardoyne: The Untold Truth for the past four years. The launch to take place on Thursday August 15 will for the first time detail the stories of the families left behind after the violent death of a loved one.

It will detail the victims of the political conflict from Ardoyne since 1969. This project was community based and community led and began after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

It is aimed at highlighting the debate about victims and gives the families a platform to finally tell their stories many of them misrepresented in the press at the time.

Ann Mailey whose brother Jackie was shot dead by the SAS while attempting to firebomb a Ballysillan post and telephone office, said the book was the first to give a true voice to all victims of political violence. "I’m absolutely delighted the book is now being published because it lets the world see the truth,” she said.

“The families have always known what has happened to their loved ones and the truth is finally being told,” she added.

Journalist: Andrea McKernon