Birmingham pub bombings: On the 50th anniversary of the atrocity, families of the victims still want answers

Two bombs exploded in two city centre pubs in 1974, killing 21 people and injuring 182. An inquest in 2019 decided they were murdered by the IRA, but 50 years later, the families of victims are calling for a public inquiry.

Lisa Dowd

Midlands correspondent @LisaSkyNews

Thursday 21 November 2024 04:04, UK

The relatives of those killed in the Birmingham bombings are calling for a public inquiry
Image: The relatives of those killed in the Birmingham bombings are calling for a public inquiry
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The families of the victims of the Birmingham pub bombings are renewing their call for a public inquiry on the 50th anniversary of the atrocity.

A silence will also be held on Thursday in the city centre to remember the 21 people killed in 1974. An inquest in 2019 decided that they were murdered by the IRA.

Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine died in the attacks, said there were still so many questions - and only a public inquiry would deliver answers.

Maxine Hambleton was one of 21 people killed in the Birmingham pub bombing in 1974
Image: Maxine Hambleton was one of 21 people killed in the Birmingham pub bombing in 1974

"Why would anybody want to cause such havoc, horror, trauma, carnage to so many people, why?" Julie asks.

"What was the bomb made of? Were there informers? Were there pre-warnings? Who were the perpetrators?".

Julie Hambleton is calling for a new public inquiry into the bombing
Image: Julie Hambleton is calling for a new public inquiry into the bombing

182 people were also injured when the two bombs exploded in two city-centre pubs. A third device was recovered, but West Midlands Police lost it.

Six Irishmen, known as the "Birmingham Six", were wrongly convicted over the attacks and freed in 1991 after 16 years in prison.

The Birmingham Six outside the Old Bailey in London, after their convictions were quashed. Left-right: John Walker, Paddy Hill. Hugh Callaghan, Chris Mullen MP (who campaigned for their release), Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter and William Power. Pic: PA
Image: The Birmingham Six outside the Old Bailey in London, after their convictions were quashed. Left-right: John Walker, Paddy Hill. Hugh Callaghan, Chris Mullen MP (who campaigned for their release), Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter and William Power. Pic: PA
Two bombs exploded in two pubs during the attack. Pic: PA
Image: Two bombs exploded in two pubs during the attack. Pic: PA

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Over the decades various names have been linked to the bombings.

Although police re-investigated, last year they decided there wasn't enough evidence to bring any criminal charges.

Julie, who set the campaign group Justice for the 21, told Paste BN: "We cannot allow murderers who continue to breathe to continue to have their liberty."

Read more on the Birmingham bombings:
Botched IRA warning call led to 21 deaths, jury finds
Julie at inquest: 'More angry now than ever'

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Following the bombings, the Irish community in Birmingham faced a backlash.

Maurice Malone, who was aged 7 at the time, says his father was attacked and lost his job, as did others.

Maurice Malone said the Irish community in Birmingham faced backlash
Image: Maurice Malone said the Irish community in Birmingham faced backlash

He said: "Mum just explained to me that something had happened in the city the night before and Irish people were now a figure of hate in our city and people who were our friends, family members, relatives, people who used to visit us quite regularly didn't want to know us anymore."

As a child, Maurice said his mum told him 'Irish people were now a figure of hate in our city'
Image: As a child, Maurice said his mum told him 'Irish people were now a figure of hate in our city'

Maurice helped to fundraise for a permanent memorial to the victims to ensure the bombings - which are the biggest unsolved mass murder in modern British history - are never forgotten.

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