The Devastating True Story Behind FX’s Say Nothing

As a seasoned researcher and storyteller, delving into the life of Jean McConville and those affected by the Troubles has left an indelible mark on my heart. The resilience and determination of the McConville family, particularly their unwavering quest for truth and justice, is truly inspiring.

In his 2018 worldwide hit book titled “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland,” author Patrick Radden Keefe delves into the intricate past of The Troubles, a protracted struggle between Irish Catholics and British Protestants in Northern Ireland that lasted nearly three decades. Currently, an FX miniseries sharing the same name is adapting this gripping and heart-wrenching tale about Ireland’s pursuit for national unity to television screens.

The streaming series “Say Nothing,” found on Hulu, unfolds in 1960s Belfast during escalating violence between Protestant loyalists and the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), a prominent republican paramilitary group during the Troubles. The show revisits significant instances of this conflict, with roots dating back centuries, from the perspectives of key IRA figures such as high-ranking volunteer Dolours Price (portrayed by Lola Petticrew), commanding officer Brendan “the Dark” Hughes (Anthony Boyle), and Gerry Adams (Josh Finan), who later became president of Sinn Féin, a political party. In real life, the 76-year-old Adams has consistently denied being a member of the IRA or taking part in any violence linked to the organization despite conflicting reports.

Over nine episodes, the series Say Nothing delves into the heavy price paid by both IRA members and those they claimed to protect due to their relentless pursuit of peace at any cost. A well-known instance of the IRA’s contentious handling of suspected informers is the 1972 murder of Jean McConville, a widow with ten children, who was wrongly accused of treason.

What happened to Jean McConville? 

It’s the question at the center of Say Nothing — and where the FX series begins. 

On an undetermined date in December of 1972, Jean McConville was seized from her residence in Belfast by a gang composed of four females and eight males. Several of them wore masks, and at least one carried a firearm. However, McConville’s ten children, ranging in age from 20 to six, swiftly recognized that the individuals who had taken their mother were not unfamiliar faces. Instead, they were neighbors residing at Divis Flats, a complex of public housing with a predominantly Catholic population that served as a bastion for armed resistance, according to Patrick Radden Keefe’s book “Say Nothing“.

On that day, the individuals who escorted the 38-year-old widow were also part of the Belfast Brigade, which represented the local branch of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). Known as “Provs,” they viewed themselves as the sole legitimate heirs to the original IRA, who fought from 1919 to 1921 during the Irish War of Independence. This conflict, also known as the Anglo-Irish War, led to Ireland’s partition by the U.K. government, creating two self-governing regions: Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. However, this division resulted in significant discrimination against Catholics in Northern Ireland, a region governed predominantly by Protestant Loyalists.

By 1969, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) had largely ceased to exist, and instead of promoting non-violent resistance through politics as it once did, it began advocating for peaceful resistance via political means. However, this approach was met with dissatisfaction among Catholics, particularly those in Northern Ireland, which paved the way for the formation of a new group known as the Provisional IRA (Provos) that same year. Their primary objective was to end British rule in Northern Ireland and facilitate Irish reunification through armed resistance, unlike their predecessor. The Provos argued that while their destructive actions, such as car bombings, were not intended to harm civilians, only property, this didn’t stop them from being labeled a terrorist organization by both the U.K. and the U.S. by the mid-1970s, as depicted in “Say Nothing.

As a passionate movie buff, I’d rephrase it like this: Before the fateful event that changed everything, McConville – the petite, pasty woman described by Keefe in “Say Nothing” as having spent almost half her life either pregnant or recovering from childbirth – was falsely accused of being an informant. In the eyes of the IRA, those branded as traitors were frequently eliminated, and their lifeless bodies would be callously left on the streets as a chilling reminder to anyone else contemplating cooperation with the British.

McConville’s children have consistently refuted the accusations that their mother was an informant. Instead, they describe her as a Protestant widow living in a predominantly Catholic nationalist neighborhood during a time of high sectarian tension, who unfortunately became a target of bigoted hatred. They often recount a story, similar to one portrayed in the series, about how before she vanished, their mother cared for an injured British soldier in Divis Flats, only to find “Brit Lover” scrawled on their door upon waking up the next morning. A few days later, McConville, who suffered from mental illness after her husband’s death, mysteriously vanished and has not been seen since.

In about three decades, the McConville family finally discovered the fate of Jean, partly due to a surprising confession from a prominent member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Dolours Price.

Who is Dolours Price?

As a fervent admirer, let me share a profound tale about Dolours Price, who hails from a lineage deeply committed to the Irish republican struggle for generations. Regrettably, this long-standing dedication came at a heavy price; her aunt Birdie, one of my mother’s siblings, tragically lost both hands and her eyesight in 1938 when assisting the IRA during an accidental detonation of a cache of explosives she was moving.

During her teenage years, Price chose to walk in her family’s footsteps, but she aimed to do so peacefully by learning from the U.S. Civil Rights movement. However, a violent incident at the Burntollet Bridge in 1969, where over 100 peaceful protesters were injured when attacked by approximately 300 Protestant loyalists, greatly influenced and radicalized the young girl. It seemed to her that resistance was the only means to liberate her fellow countrymen and women.

In 1971, Price together with her younger sister Marian expressed a desire to enlist in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Prior to this request, females could only participate in Cumann na mBan, the female auxiliary division of the IRA. However, Price asserted, “I wanted to fight, not to make tea or roll bandages.” In essence, she chose combat over no involvement at all. This made them the first full-time female members ever in the IRA’s history. (Reference: Say Nothing)

Straightaway, the Price sisters swiftly proved indispensable to the Irish Republican Army (IRA), a role portrayed with gripping accuracy in the early episodes of FX’s Say Nothing. Initially, they served as messengers, transporting funds and weapons across the border at great personal risk. However, their roles soon evolved into armed rebels, who robbed banks while disguised as nuns, and wore platinum blonde wigs to rescue fellow members from imprisonment.

Dolours was inspired by the tragic event known as Bloody Sunday, where British soldiers killed 26 unarmed civilians during a peaceful demonstration in 1972. This incident ignited her involvement with the IRA, leading them to intensify their actions. They began using explosives such as car bombs and other homemade devices, making 1972 one of the deadliest years for the organization. Regrettably, close to 500 individuals lost their lives that year, with almost half being innocent civilians.

Dolours’ relentless dedication to the cause was recognized by Gerry Adams, once a barkeeper turned activist, whom she referred to as a “tall fellow with oversized black-framed glasses.” Many believe he served as the “primary tactician” for the Belfast Brigade during those times. Adams has consistently denied any ties to the IRA, and each episode of Say Nothing concludes with a disclaimer stating that he was neither a member nor took part in “any acts of violence related to the IRA.” Through his legal representatives, Adams reaffirmed that he had no role in the deaths or burials of any individuals secretly buried by the IRA, as stated in an interview with the Irish Times on Nov. 13.

In a different version of events, the book and series portray: Adams supposedly enlisted Dolours and her younger sibling into “The Unknowns,” a covert team operating within the Provisional IRA, which had the mission to quell dissent and reported directly to him. Furthermore, she asserted that Adams played a role in planning the 1973 Old Bailey bombing, an incident resulting in over 250 injuries from two explosions that occurred in London’s city center.

What happened to Dolours Price after the Old Bailey bombing?

Following the London bombing incident, Dolours and Marian were found guilty of conspiring to set off an explosion potentially dangerous to life and were given a 20-year sentence at Brixton Prison, a high-security male prison that seldom accommodated females. Given the extensive history of IRA escapes, the British authorities were not taking any risks with these young women now infamously referred to as the “Sisters of Terror.” When their plea for serving their sentences as political prisoners and transfer to a Northern Ireland prison was turned down, the sisters initiated a hunger strike. This harrowing tale is central to the sixth episode of Say Nothing, which while captivating, can be challenging to watch at times.

In the year 1981, following a duration of 208 days during which they refused food, and with the prison force-feeding them for 167 of those days, Dolours and Marian were returned to Northern Ireland. They served out the rest of their time in a women’s prison, approximately an hour outside Belfast. Dolours was released early due to health concerns, about eleven months before Marian, and pledged that upon her release, she would focus on persuading fellow Catholics to abstain from violence.

Following eight years behind bars, Dolours found herself doubting the IRA’s tradition of self-sacrifice and its role in her involvement in violent acts she could no longer justify. At age 30, she had spent most of her twenties in prison and yearned for a stable life. In 1983, she wed Irish actor Stephen Rea, started a family with two children, and ventured into journalism. However, Dolours continued to grapple with the psychological toll and remorse from her past, battling alcoholism, drug addiction, and PTSD until her 2013 passing from an unintentional overdose at the age of 61. (It was Dolours’ obituary in the New York Times that prompted Keefe to pen Say Nothing).

Prior to Dolours’s demise, she, along with other ex-members of the IRA, engaged in discussions with the Belfast Project about her time as a Provos member. Their disclosures provided clarity for numerous families regarding the fate of their missing kin, such as the McConvilles.

What is the Belfast Project?

The Belfast Project is an oral history initiative spearheaded by Irish journalist and author Ed Moloney. Its purpose, established by Boston College, was to conduct interviews with ex-members from the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Provisional IRA. The aim was to compile research for future generations about the lived experiences and dynamics of sectarian conflict, often referred to as “The Troubles.

With assistance from Anthony “Mackers” McIntyre, a resident of South Belfast and a Provo volunteer who had served 17 years for the murder of a loyalist paramilitary officer, frontline members of illegal paramilitary groups agreed to share their experiences about the crimes they and others had carried out in confidential interviews as part of the Belfast Project. The condition was that these interviews could not be disclosed until after their deaths, as there was no legal protection for coming forward. Even though the IRA wasn’t considered a legitimate organization until 2005 when it declared an end to its armed campaign, speaking truthfully about their past actions might have still led to imprisonment for these former members.

In 2001, McIntyre initiated interviews with individuals who had previously been associated with the Provo group but had a disagreement with Gerry Adams. Since his entry into politics in 1983, Adams consistently denied any association with the group. Over 40 former military members were spoken to by McIntryre and Moloney as part of this project. The Belfast Project’s research significantly influenced the FX series, which revolves around the testimonies of alleged loyalists Dolours Price and Brendan “The Dark” Hughes.

Who is Brendan Hughes?

Brendan Hughes served as a commanding officer, often referred to as “the OC,” for Company D of the Provisional IRA stationed in West Belfast. He earned his reputation by actively fighting alongside the members of his unit, which made them notorious and feared among their adversaries.

During the turbulent period known as the Troubles, Hughes found himself frequently in and out of prison. His unwavering devotion to the cause made him a significant figure, drawing the attention of loyalist militias, police forces, the British Army, and even the Official IRA. Additionally, he was a trusted advisor to Adams during the most intense years of the Troubles’ violence.

Two years following Hughes’ death in 2008, Moloney penned the book “Voices from the Grave“, weaving together interviews from Hughes’ Belfast Tapes to narrate his experiences within the Provisional IRA. The account Hughes provided was marked by disenchantment, dissatisfaction, and remorse.

As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as follows: In his account, Hughes asserted that Adams was the mastermind behind a covert group he called “The Unknowns,” a select team who carried out risky, clandestine, occasionally questionable tasks. According to Hughes, recorded conversations revealed that McConville confessed to being an informant for the British. This admission, Hughes believed, justified McConville’s killing. Furthermore, Hughes declared that Adams himself had ordered McConville’s murder. “There was only one individual who gave the go-ahead for her execution,” Hughes stated emphatically. “That man is now the leader of Sinn Féin.

Adams refuted Hughes’ assertions, stating in a released statement: “I was acquainted with Brendan Hughes personally. He wasn’t in good health for quite some time, even during his interview sessions. It’s important to note that Brendan Hughes was against the IRA truces and the peace process as well.

In the years preceding his demise, it was evident that Hughes, battling alcoholism and PTSD, felt disillusioned by Adams’ choice to downplay his involvement in the conflict. As a self-proclaimed revolutionary socialist, Hughes believed that, in essence, Adams had evaded any ethical accountability for the war, stating, “This implies that people like myself…must bear the burden of all those casualties,” during an interview with the Belfast Project.

Nevertheless, Hughes wasn’t the sole ex-IRA member who implicated Adams in McConville’s murder; Price made similar claims in 2010. Speaking to the Irish Times, she admitted her role in McConville’s death, along with others who vanished, and accused Adams of ordering the hit on the widow. As a driver for the Unknowns, Price revealed she transported McConville towards her ultimate fate. Contrary to the claims made in the book and FX series, Marian – now in her 70s – refutes any part in the murder.

Adams disputed Price’s accusations, countering with a claim that she sought retribution against him because he opted for politics instead of engaging in paramilitary combat. In response to her and Hughes’ assertions, Adams argued that he was incarcerated when McConville vanished. However, when it emerged that Adams had been freed in June 1972 to travel to London for peace negotiations, he admitted, “I mixed up the dates.

Did they ever solve the murder of Jean McConville?

Over two decades since their mother vanished, the McConville children discovered that they weren’t alone in Belfast; other families had experienced similar heartbreaking losses during the Troubles. Specifically, 15 families were left mourning loved ones who had either been taken or killed but whose bodies were never recovered.

1995 saw these families stepping forward, appealing to the public for assistance in tracing their missing relatives’ locations. At that time, Adams, who was Sinn Féin’s president, vowed to assist in locating the remains of those who had vanished. In a statement, he urged anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these missing individuals to reach out to the families. During an interview, Brendan Hughes referred to Adams as a “Machiavellian monster” for offering help to the family of a woman Hughes claimed Adams had ordered killed. “The man who gave the order for that woman’s execution,” Hughes stated, “Now tell me about the morality in that.

By 1999, the debated yet significant Good Friday Agreement, aided by Adams’ efforts to pass it, had been finalized. This pact put an end to the prolonged conflict known as the Troubles. As part of the peace negotiations, both the United Kingdom and Ireland established the Independent Commission for the Investigation of Victims’ Remains. This commission granted immunity from prosecution to individuals who provided information about those who had gone missing during the conflict. Dolours Price stepped forward with such information, revealing details about McConville’s disappearance among others. In the 2018 documentary I, Dolours, she would later elaborate on her role in McConville’s demise.

McConville’s remains were discovered at Shelling Hill Beach, or Templetown Beach, located in Ireland on August 27, 2003. Her children recognized her by the distinctive blue safety pin on her coat, an accessory she frequently wore as a makeshift repair for her children’s clothing. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head.

2019 saw Ivor Bell, a former leader of Belfast Brigade, standing trial for his suspected role in the murder of McConville. In conversations recorded as part of the Belfast Project, Bell stated that he, Gerry Adams, and the late Pat McClure, a well-known member of the Unknowns, conferred to determine McConville’s fate. However, the judge later declared Bell’s interviews inadmissible during the trial as those involved were perceived to have strong biases and intended to incriminate Gerry Adams, who testified at the trial.

Following an eight-day long trial, the jury declared Bell innocent of assisting in the murder. However, the judge mentioned that the recordings would become public post-trial, allowing individuals to form their own opinions regarding the case. To date, no one has been accused or charged in the murder of McConville.

Despite finding peace by burying their mother, the McConville siblings persist in their quest to vindicate her reputation. After an examination, the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman failed to discover any proof that McConville was a confidential informant. Now, her five surviving offspring are pressing for an apology from the IRA, who though expressing remorse in 2003 over her vanishing, have yet to recant their accusations that she was a spy.

Michael McConville, a family member, expressed to the Irish Times in 2022 – marking the 50th year since his mother’s disappearance – that as a family, we seek an apology for all accusations against our mother being an informer. I will continue searching for this apology until the end of my days.

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2024-11-14 21:08