GRAVE MATTERS

There have been enough tragic stories to emerge from the Ulster “Troubles” to fill a library, but few can be more heartbreaking than that of mother of ten, Jean McConville, who was abducted, tortured, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA, whose leadership steadfastly refused to reveal to her family the whereabouts of her grave. 
Almost thirty years passed before it was discovered by chance and the family were able to give their mother a proper burial. The guilty men are still out there and support for Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing, has never been higher.

Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams.

ABDUCTION TALE

When they came for my mother

there were shouts.

They called themselves soldiers.

She called them louts.

There were eight of them there.  

Three local guys, names I knew:

Republicans, hard-men.

They yelled: You kids fuck off.

They were like flies

buzzing round our mother.

My brother, ten,

he clung on to her, tried to interfere:

got a busted face, got a bloody ear.

They dragged Mother outside.

Cut us kids short.

Said she’d been a tout.

Said she had informed.

Mother struggled, cried out:

Lord, I’m not that sort.

Sure, I’d not do that.

You’ve been misinformed.

They dragged her off, those patriotic men,

without goodbyes,

into the bitter rain.