Ann and Margaret talk about their work with families impacted by internment.
This work led to the establishment of the Admnistration of Legal Justice.
After internment their work continued with families of political prisoners.
Audio Transcript
00:00:00.0 00:02:56.4 Ann Murray – beginning of Administration of Legal Justice work. After August 9th arrests she was point of contact for people seeking to find where those lifted were held.
00:02:56.4 00:06:56.7 Recalling families impacted in the district. Putting families in touch with solicitors and doctors. Recording accounts of what happened in the interrogation centres. Loss of breadwinners from families.
00:06:56.7 00:09:48.6 Margaret Gatt. Setting up of Ladybrook ALJ the previous year. After internment dealing with families on a range of issues.
00:09:48.6 00:12:46.0 Interviewed people all over the Six Counties. Eventually moved the project out of the house to an office in Divis Street. Recalling hearing the first stories of the torture that became the Hooded Men case.
00:12:46.0 00:14:05.3 Dublin government official met with them each week. Eventually with the accumulated evidence the Dublin government brought a case to the European Court.
00:14:05.3 00:16:18.6 Project financed by themselves. Needed to collect money for basics such as paper and stamps. Got help from some solicitors. Oliver Kelly, solicitor, and brothers also interned.
00:16:18.6 00:19:23.5 After work spending the night typing up statements for ALJ. Some solicitors giving their free time. Recalling the work of Fr Faul, Fr Brady and Fr Murray.
00:19:23.5 00:21:06.6 collecting the records from various branches. teacher’s branch. Teachers going into the Cages to teach internees.
00:21:06.6 00:23:16.3 Unable to get statements from those who were charged after interrogations. Having to learn what rights people had when they were taken away by the British army or RUC.
00:23:16.3 00:26:17.5 Working with Sister Sarah for the families of prisoners in England. Going to Royal Victoria Hospital after Long Kesh was burnt to check on the injured.
00:26:17.5 00:28:38.4 Gerry and Rita O’ Hare one example of how some families had to cope when children were left without a parent because of imprisonment.
00:28:38.4 00:32:02.1 ALJ work continued after internment ended. Sinn Féin Advice centers took over some of the work. ALJ still had a network of contacts.
00:32:02.1 00:35:52.8 Margaret recalls being on holiday after being released from prison and hearing about internment while away. Recalling the impact on families through harassment because of their work with the ALJ