1974 - Hugh Callaghan, Patrick Hill, Robert Hunter, Noel McIlkenny, William Power & John Walker, who become known as “The Birmingham Six” were charged in connection with pub bombings which took place earlier in the week. They had left Birmingham shortly before IRA-planted bombs 
exploded in 2 city centre pubs - the Mulberry Bush & Tavern in the Town – on 21 November 1974, at about 8.17pm and 8.27pm respectively. A third bomb was found later that night but it failed to detonate. As well as the 21 fatalities, 182 people were injured.
The six men appeared
The six men appeared
in court with obvious injuries they said were as a result of police beatings in custody but explained by the police as self inflicted. The 6 claimed that police forced them to sign confessions after physical & psychological torture.
3 other men were charged with conspiracy. They
3 other men were charged with conspiracy. They
were found guilty in August 1975 of carrying out the bombings and sentenced to life imprisonment. They were released after 16 years in jail when their convictions for the murder of 21 people were quashed by the UK Court of Appeal in May 1991.
Between them, the 6 men, 5 of whom
Between them, the 6 men, 5 of whom
were Catholics from Belfast – spent 96 years in jail.
The real bombers were never prosecuted and no group has ever admitted planting devices. Three detectives were charged with perjury and conspiracy in connection with the investigation, but their trial was halted in 1993 on the
The real bombers were never prosecuted and no group has ever admitted planting devices. Three detectives were charged with perjury and conspiracy in connection with the investigation, but their trial was halted in 1993 on the
grounds of prejudicial media coverage.
Lord Denning, as Master of the Rolls had dismissed a civil action by the Birmingham Six against West Midlands Police in 1980 and remarked that to accept their case that police officers had lied about their confessions & beaten them up would
Lord Denning, as Master of the Rolls had dismissed a civil action by the Birmingham Six against West Midlands Police in 1980 and remarked that to accept their case that police officers had lied about their confessions & beaten them up would
have opened up “an appalling vista'”.
The 6 got compensation settlements in June 2002 - more than 10 years after they are freed with compensation ranging from £840,000 to £1.2 million.
The trial is considered one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British legal history.
The 6 got compensation settlements in June 2002 - more than 10 years after they are freed with compensation ranging from £840,000 to £1.2 million.
The trial is considered one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British legal history.
