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1 00:00:03,300 00:00:06,940 I remember sitting on the rocks down at the beach, I remember sitting on the rocks down at the beach,
2 00:00:06,940 00:00:08,980 in my mind going over August 27th, in my mind going over August 27th,
3 00:00:08,980 00:00:11,100 August 27th, and I kept saying 1979, August 27th, and I kept saying 1979,
4 00:00:11,100 00:00:13,900 I'll never forget this date, and I don't. I'll never forget this date, and I don't.
5 00:00:13,900 00:00:18,500 Every year, that date comes round and we remember it. Every year, that date comes round and we remember it.
6 00:00:18,500 00:00:21,300 40 years ago, Lord Mountbatten, 40 years ago, Lord Mountbatten,
7 00:00:21,300 00:00:24,220 the great-uncle of Prince Charles, the great-uncle of Prince Charles,
8 00:00:24,220 00:00:26,380 was blown up at sea by the IRA was blown up at sea by the IRA
9 00:00:26,380 00:00:28,020 at Mullaghmore, at Mullaghmore,
10 00:00:28,020 00:00:30,200 off the west coast of Ireland. off the west coast of Ireland.
11 00:00:30,200 00:00:32,300 By killing Mountbatten, By killing Mountbatten,
12 00:00:32,300 00:00:34,900 you sent ripples around the world, you sent ripples around the world,
13 00:00:34,900 00:00:39,380 in a way in which no other assassination could have achieved. in a way in which no other assassination could have achieved.
14 00:00:40,200 00:00:42,300 No member of the British royal family No member of the British royal family
15 00:00:42,300 00:00:44,500 had been murdered had been murdered
16 00:00:44,500 00:00:48,100 by terrorists, within living memory. by terrorists, within living memory.
17 00:00:49,000 00:00:52,180 At the time, I could not imagine how At the time, I could not imagine how
18 00:00:52,180 00:00:54,740 we would come to terms with the anguish we would come to terms with the anguish
19 00:00:54,740 00:00:57,740 of such a deep loss. of such a deep loss.
20 00:00:57,740 00:01:03,340 Three others were killed on the boat, including two teenage boys. Three others were killed on the boat, including two teenage boys.
21 00:01:03,340 00:01:05,780 There was an almighty bang, There was an almighty bang,
22 00:01:05,780 00:01:07,820 a huge crack like thunder, a huge crack like thunder,
23 00:01:07,820 00:01:10,740 and I immediately said... and I immediately said...
24 00:01:10,740 00:01:13,100 "Paul is dead." "Paul is dead."
25 00:01:13,100 00:01:15,380 The day was marked not just by The day was marked not just by
26 00:01:15,380 00:01:17,220 the Mountbatten bomb, the Mountbatten bomb,
27 00:01:17,220 00:01:19,340 but by a second IRA attack but by a second IRA attack
28 00:01:19,340 00:01:21,940 that killed 18 British soldiers that killed 18 British soldiers
29 00:01:21,940 00:01:24,140 at Warrenpoint, across the border at Warrenpoint, across the border
30 00:01:24,140 00:01:26,100 in Northern Ireland. in Northern Ireland.
31 00:01:26,100 00:01:28,100 The IRA couldn't believe their luck. The IRA couldn't believe their luck.
32 00:01:28,100 00:01:29,900 For the nationalist population, For the nationalist population,
33 00:01:29,900 00:01:31,460 we were monsters. we were monsters.
34 00:01:35,860 00:01:38,180 This is the story of that day... This is the story of that day...
35 00:01:39,340 00:01:41,900 ..told by those directly affected by it. ..told by those directly affected by it.
36 00:01:43,580 00:01:48,020 It is hard, when you see the wounds It is hard, when you see the wounds
37 00:01:48,020 00:01:50,860 that never really got sewn up, that never really got sewn up,
38 00:01:50,860 00:01:53,620 from that day and that tragedy, from that day and that tragedy,
39 00:01:53,620 00:01:56,020 and that is hard. and that is hard.
40 00:01:58,180 00:02:05,300 This programme contains scenes which some viewers may find upsetting This programme contains scenes which some viewers may find upsetting
41 00:02:09,580 00:02:13,380 MUSIC: This Is Your Life theme tune MUSIC: This Is Your Life theme tune
42 00:02:15,380 00:02:16,580 In a few minutes from now, In a few minutes from now,
43 00:02:16,580 00:02:20,340 I'll know whether or not we're going to succeed in telling I'll know whether or not we're going to succeed in telling
44 00:02:20,340 00:02:23,980 the exciting story of a man whose courage and daring in the war the exciting story of a man whose courage and daring in the war
45 00:02:23,980 00:02:26,820 and far-ranging influence on peace and far-ranging influence on peace
46 00:02:26,820 00:02:28,660 have significantly contributed to have significantly contributed to
47 00:02:28,660 00:02:31,180 the shaping of this century's history. the shaping of this century's history.
48 00:02:31,180 00:02:33,660 The man I'm after has no idea that I'm going to be there... The man I'm after has no idea that I'm going to be there...
49 00:02:33,660 00:02:35,060 I remember going to the studio I remember going to the studio
50 00:02:35,060 00:02:37,100 and I remember the dress, I had to wear my sister's and I remember the dress, I had to wear my sister's
51 00:02:37,100 00:02:39,820 hand-me-down dress, always a hand-me-down dress. hand-me-down dress, always a hand-me-down dress.
52 00:02:39,820 00:02:42,260 And my thanks to Lord Brabourne, John Barrett... And my thanks to Lord Brabourne, John Barrett...
53 00:02:42,260 00:02:44,900 We even had Princess Anne's underwear, I remember one year We even had Princess Anne's underwear, I remember one year
54 00:02:44,900 00:02:46,500 was handed all the way down to us. was handed all the way down to us.
55 00:02:46,500 00:02:49,460 Admiral of the Fleet, the Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Admiral of the Fleet, the Earl Mountbatten of Burma,
56 00:02:49,460 00:02:51,380 tonight, this is your life. tonight, this is your life.
57 00:02:51,380 00:02:52,820 What do you mean? What do you mean?
58 00:02:52,820 00:02:56,900 LAUGHTER LAUGHTER
59 00:02:56,900 00:02:58,700 I don't know what you mean! I don't know what you mean!
60 00:02:58,700 00:03:01,860 Inside here, we have a whole host of surprises for you... Inside here, we have a whole host of surprises for you...
61 00:03:01,860 00:03:04,220 Amazing that they managed to pull that off. Amazing that they managed to pull that off.
62 00:03:04,220 00:03:07,420 APPLAUSE APPLAUSE
63 00:03:09,500 00:03:11,300 Now, India, that's an unusual name, Now, India, that's an unusual name,
64 00:03:11,300 00:03:13,140 isn't it? How did you get that? isn't it? How did you get that?
65 00:03:13,140 00:03:15,180 Because my grandfather was the last Because my grandfather was the last
66 00:03:15,180 00:03:18,420 Viceroy of India. LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE Viceroy of India. LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE
67 00:03:18,420 00:03:20,660 Because my grandfather was the last Viceroy of India! Because my grandfather was the last Viceroy of India!
68 00:03:22,900 00:03:26,060 Of course, nowadays, people say, what's a Viceroy? Of course, nowadays, people say, what's a Viceroy?
69 00:03:27,980 00:03:29,940 As Viceroy, he was the last As Viceroy, he was the last
70 00:03:29,940 00:03:32,180 colonial ruler of India. colonial ruler of India.
71 00:03:33,820 00:03:36,980 He was also Admiral of the Fleet, He was also Admiral of the Fleet,
72 00:03:36,980 00:03:39,300 second cousin of the Queen, second cousin of the Queen,
73 00:03:39,300 00:03:41,780 and mentor to the Prince of Wales. and mentor to the Prince of Wales.
74 00:03:43,980 00:03:45,820 The Earl Mountbatten of Burma The Earl Mountbatten of Burma
75 00:03:45,820 00:03:48,100 was, for half a century, one of was, for half a century, one of
76 00:03:48,100 00:03:50,660 Britain's leading public figures. Britain's leading public figures.
77 00:03:52,340 00:03:54,100 Can you bear having hot milk in it, Can you bear having hot milk in it,
78 00:03:54,100 00:03:56,180 or would you rather not have milk in it? or would you rather not have milk in it?
79 00:03:56,180 00:03:57,460 In retirement, he spent In retirement, he spent
80 00:03:57,460 00:04:00,020 more time with his family, more time with his family,
81 00:04:00,020 00:04:02,860 but he still enjoyed the public spotlight so much but he still enjoyed the public spotlight so much
82 00:04:02,860 00:04:04,540 that he allowed an ITV crew that he allowed an ITV crew
83 00:04:04,540 00:04:07,340 to record his annual summer holiday in Ireland, to record his annual summer holiday in Ireland,
84 00:04:07,340 00:04:10,860 even if it meant compromising the family's privacy. even if it meant compromising the family's privacy.
85 00:04:10,860 00:04:12,220 I've found some more milk... I've found some more milk...
86 00:04:12,220 00:04:13,500 Every Easter, every summer, Every Easter, every summer,
87 00:04:13,500 00:04:15,860 every Christmas, every single holiday, every Christmas, every single holiday,
88 00:04:15,860 00:04:17,820 we were together with our cousins. we were together with our cousins.
89 00:04:17,820 00:04:19,140 One, two, three... Whoopsie! One, two, three... Whoopsie!
90 00:04:19,140 00:04:22,380 Classiebawn was always in the summer, a month in August. Classiebawn was always in the summer, a month in August.
91 00:04:22,380 00:04:24,420 The twins, where are the twins? The twins, where are the twins?
92 00:04:24,420 00:04:28,500 For all of the fact that it was called Classiebawn Castle, For all of the fact that it was called Classiebawn Castle,
93 00:04:28,500 00:04:31,700 essentially, it wasn't. It was a Victorian mansion, with some turret essentially, it wasn't. It was a Victorian mansion, with some turret
94 00:04:31,700 00:04:33,340 built onto the end of it. built onto the end of it.
95 00:04:34,420 00:04:38,860 Lord Mountbatten inherited Classiebawn Castle from his wife, Lord Mountbatten inherited Classiebawn Castle from his wife,
96 00:04:38,860 00:04:41,700 Lady Edwina, who died in 1960. Lady Edwina, who died in 1960.
97 00:04:42,940 00:04:45,540 There were so many wonderful traditions. There were so many wonderful traditions.
98 00:04:50,420 00:04:52,340 The heart of the holiday was The heart of the holiday was
99 00:04:52,340 00:04:53,660 going out on the boat. going out on the boat.
100 00:04:53,660 00:04:55,100 I would go a lot on the boat, I would go a lot on the boat,
101 00:04:55,100 00:04:56,820 we all did. we all did.
102 00:04:58,460 00:04:59,980 India, come on... India, come on...
103 00:04:59,980 00:05:02,420 The building of the dams, that was absolutely a tradition, The building of the dams, that was absolutely a tradition,
104 00:05:02,420 00:05:04,260 and taken very seriously. and taken very seriously.
105 00:05:04,260 00:05:05,900 Everybody knew what they had to do. Everybody knew what they had to do.
106 00:05:05,900 00:05:08,900 LORD MOUNTBATTEN: Give it to me, I'll show you. Make the hole here. LORD MOUNTBATTEN: Give it to me, I'll show you. Make the hole here.
107 00:05:08,900 00:05:11,100 There it is, see? From here, There it is, see? From here,
108 00:05:11,100 00:05:12,580 then you start doing the dam. then you start doing the dam.
109 00:05:12,580 00:05:14,220 Yeah. Out of the way... Yeah. Out of the way...
110 00:05:14,220 00:05:18,220 You see, he was, um, admiralling, wasn't he? You see, he was, um, admiralling, wasn't he?
111 00:05:18,220 00:05:19,500 No, put it this way. No, put it this way.
112 00:05:19,500 00:05:20,900 Go on, do as you're told. Go on, do as you're told.
113 00:05:20,900 00:05:22,100 Do as you're told. Do as you're told.
114 00:05:22,100 00:05:23,700 That'll do it. That'll do it.
115 00:05:23,700 00:05:25,420 There we are. There you are... There we are. There you are...
116 00:05:25,420 00:05:27,020 It would be hard to be It would be hard to be
117 00:05:27,020 00:05:29,460 Chief of Combined Operations and then not be in charge of Chief of Combined Operations and then not be in charge of
118 00:05:29,460 00:05:31,900 the family dam, let's face it. the family dam, let's face it.
119 00:05:33,500 00:05:35,420 That way... That way...
120 00:05:35,420 00:05:40,380 The Mountbattens were generally viewed by the locals as benevolent, The Mountbattens were generally viewed by the locals as benevolent,
121 00:05:40,380 00:05:44,300 well-meaning, helpful people, who it was nice to have around. well-meaning, helpful people, who it was nice to have around.
122 00:05:44,300 00:05:47,500 The neighbourhood benefited as a result of their presence. The neighbourhood benefited as a result of their presence.
123 00:05:50,020 00:05:53,180 Each summer, the Mountbattens would take up residence Each summer, the Mountbattens would take up residence
124 00:05:53,180 00:05:54,660 at Classiebawn Castle, at Classiebawn Castle,
125 00:05:54,660 00:05:58,300 overlooking the pretty fishing village of Mullaghmore. overlooking the pretty fishing village of Mullaghmore.
126 00:05:59,900 00:06:03,100 The family's visits brought a touch of glamour, The family's visits brought a touch of glamour,
127 00:06:03,100 00:06:05,620 and jobs for the locals. and jobs for the locals.
128 00:06:06,620 00:06:08,460 This photograph, here, This photograph, here,
129 00:06:08,460 00:06:10,860 was in the dining room of Classiebawn. was in the dining room of Classiebawn.
130 00:06:10,860 00:06:15,140 It's a dinner. That is me there. It's a dinner. That is me there.
131 00:06:17,780 00:06:19,820 When you look back, so many years ago, When you look back, so many years ago,
132 00:06:19,820 00:06:21,860 it's now 40 years, you can always say, it's now 40 years, you can always say,
133 00:06:21,860 00:06:26,260 the memories of them are happy ones, the memories of them are happy ones,
134 00:06:26,260 00:06:28,940 and that's the most important thing of all. and that's the most important thing of all.
135 00:06:28,940 00:06:31,180 Do you remember this, Mother? Do you remember this, Mother?
136 00:06:31,180 00:06:34,460 Louis gave you this book. Yeah. Louis gave you this book. Yeah.
137 00:06:34,460 00:06:36,540 "To Mrs Barry, with grateful appreciation, "To Mrs Barry, with grateful appreciation,
138 00:06:36,540 00:06:41,540 "Mountbatten of Burma, Classiebawn Castle. August, 1978." "Mountbatten of Burma, Classiebawn Castle. August, 1978."
139 00:06:41,540 00:06:44,980 And it was Barbara Cartland's Book of Useless Information. And it was Barbara Cartland's Book of Useless Information.
140 00:06:44,980 00:06:47,700 So, my mother treasured that very much. So, my mother treasured that very much.
141 00:06:47,700 00:06:50,060 I think that's the last thing he gave to her. I think that's the last thing he gave to her.
142 00:07:03,100 00:07:06,100 The Mountbattens were not alone in their attachment The Mountbattens were not alone in their attachment
143 00:07:06,100 00:07:08,460 to Mullaghmore. to Mullaghmore.
144 00:07:08,460 00:07:10,540 There are my three children at Mullaghmore. There are my three children at Mullaghmore.
145 00:07:10,540 00:07:14,500 That was Paul and his two sisters. That was Paul and his two sisters.
146 00:07:16,500 00:07:19,140 Mullaghmore was a popular holiday destination Mullaghmore was a popular holiday destination
147 00:07:19,140 00:07:21,780 for families from Northern Ireland, for families from Northern Ireland,
148 00:07:21,780 00:07:23,140 as well as the South, as well as the South,
149 00:07:23,140 00:07:25,540 and the Maxwells, from Enniskillen, and the Maxwells, from Enniskillen,
150 00:07:25,540 00:07:27,460 had their own cottage there. had their own cottage there.
151 00:07:27,460 00:07:31,340 We went down there during summer holidays for two months We went down there during summer holidays for two months
152 00:07:31,340 00:07:36,060 every year, and the children enjoyed it immensely. every year, and the children enjoyed it immensely.
153 00:07:36,060 00:07:37,940 I particularly like this... I particularly like this...
154 00:07:37,940 00:07:39,580 this one of Paul. this one of Paul.
155 00:07:41,060 00:07:44,060 That summer, 15-year-old Paul Maxwell That summer, 15-year-old Paul Maxwell
156 00:07:44,060 00:07:46,300 landed his dream job - looking after landed his dream job - looking after
157 00:07:46,300 00:07:49,780 Lord Mountbatten's boat, Shadow V. Lord Mountbatten's boat, Shadow V.
158 00:07:49,780 00:07:52,460 I think they had a nice relationship. I think they had a nice relationship.
159 00:07:52,460 00:07:54,900 Paul would sometimes Paul would sometimes
160 00:07:54,900 00:07:57,300 stay on the boat afterwards with stay on the boat afterwards with
161 00:07:57,300 00:08:00,380 Mountbatten and they would talk. Mountbatten and they would talk.
162 00:08:00,380 00:08:05,860 And he told Paul about going into the Navy. And he said, And he told Paul about going into the Navy. And he said,
163 00:08:05,860 00:08:10,300 "You know, I went into the Navy when I was 12 years old, "You know, I went into the Navy when I was 12 years old,
164 00:08:10,300 00:08:14,220 "and I saw active service when I was 16." "and I saw active service when I was 16."
165 00:08:14,220 00:08:19,260 And Paul said to him, "Were you not frightened, My Lord?" And Paul said to him, "Were you not frightened, My Lord?"
166 00:08:19,260 00:08:22,500 And he said, "Yes, but you didn't show it." And he said, "Yes, but you didn't show it."
167 00:08:22,500 00:08:24,260 And you can see... And you can see...
168 00:08:24,260 00:08:27,780 Classiebawn in the background there, Classiebawn in the background there,
169 00:08:27,780 00:08:29,180 in the distance. in the distance.
170 00:08:32,500 00:08:36,980 Classiebawn itself had been a fairly early example of what you might call Classiebawn itself had been a fairly early example of what you might call
171 00:08:36,980 00:08:38,980 English colonisation, English colonisation,
172 00:08:38,980 00:08:43,220 in a sense that, quite clearly, they were intruders. in a sense that, quite clearly, they were intruders.
173 00:08:43,220 00:08:49,260 The Irish obviously resented Britain, as such, and wanted us out. The Irish obviously resented Britain, as such, and wanted us out.
174 00:08:50,900 00:08:53,220 The Mountbattens' summer retreat The Mountbattens' summer retreat
175 00:08:53,220 00:08:55,180 was in County Sligo, was in County Sligo,
176 00:08:55,180 00:08:57,660 in the Republic of Ireland. in the Republic of Ireland.
177 00:08:57,660 00:08:59,460 Mullaghmore was only 13 miles Mullaghmore was only 13 miles
178 00:08:59,460 00:09:01,700 from the border with Northern Ireland from the border with Northern Ireland
179 00:09:01,700 00:09:03,300 where, in 1969, where, in 1969,
180 00:09:03,300 00:09:06,020 a bloody conflict broke out. a bloody conflict broke out.
181 00:09:06,020 00:09:07,980 EXPLOSION EXPLOSION
182 00:09:10,860 00:09:12,100 Catholics in Northern Ireland Catholics in Northern Ireland
183 00:09:12,100 00:09:14,100 resented being treated as resented being treated as
184 00:09:14,100 00:09:16,940 what they saw as second-class citizens, what they saw as second-class citizens,
185 00:09:16,940 00:09:21,420 and the IRA took up arms against the British state. and the IRA took up arms against the British state.
186 00:09:22,580 00:09:24,260 Despite the nearby Troubles, Despite the nearby Troubles,
187 00:09:24,260 00:09:26,700 the Mountbattens kept coming the Mountbattens kept coming
188 00:09:26,700 00:09:28,100 to Classiebawn. to Classiebawn.
189 00:09:28,100 00:09:30,740 They enjoyed protection from the local police, They enjoyed protection from the local police,
190 00:09:30,740 00:09:32,980 the Garda, but it was all kept the Garda, but it was all kept
191 00:09:32,980 00:09:34,420 very low-key. very low-key.
192 00:09:36,860 00:09:38,860 The families themselves were The families themselves were
193 00:09:38,860 00:09:40,660 very rarely targeted at all very rarely targeted at all
194 00:09:40,660 00:09:44,740 and there was very little personal animosity. and there was very little personal animosity.
195 00:09:45,780 00:09:47,460 I don't believe the Garda, I don't believe the Garda,
196 00:09:47,460 00:09:49,380 more than anybody else, believed more than anybody else, believed
197 00:09:49,380 00:09:51,500 that actually, there was a serious threat. that actually, there was a serious threat.
198 00:09:53,420 00:09:57,340 Judging the appropriate level of security for the Mountbattens Judging the appropriate level of security for the Mountbattens
199 00:09:57,340 00:09:59,180 was a tough call. was a tough call.
200 00:09:59,180 00:10:02,820 My grandfather was very keen not to have the intrusion of My grandfather was very keen not to have the intrusion of
201 00:10:02,820 00:10:05,140 an overly protective force around, an overly protective force around,
202 00:10:05,140 00:10:07,100 which is funny when you think that which is funny when you think that
203 00:10:07,100 00:10:11,180 on the mountainside, there was a big painted sign, "Brits go home". on the mountainside, there was a big painted sign, "Brits go home".
204 00:10:11,180 00:10:14,900 You arrived for your summer holiday and that's the welcome. You arrived for your summer holiday and that's the welcome.
205 00:10:19,540 00:10:21,580 A reminder that while the fishing village A reminder that while the fishing village
206 00:10:21,580 00:10:24,980 of Mullaghmore itself may have welcomed the Mountbattens, of Mullaghmore itself may have welcomed the Mountbattens,
207 00:10:24,980 00:10:27,660 County Sligo had deep roots in County Sligo had deep roots in
208 00:10:27,660 00:10:30,420 the Republican movement. the Republican movement.
209 00:10:30,420 00:10:33,740 Mountbatten would have been seen by Mountbatten would have been seen by
210 00:10:33,740 00:10:37,140 people in the IRA leadership as a... people in the IRA leadership as a...
211 00:10:37,140 00:10:40,420 cultural icon of the British establishment. cultural icon of the British establishment.
212 00:10:41,860 00:10:46,900 Anthony McIntyre joined the IRA in Belfast in 1973. Anthony McIntyre joined the IRA in Belfast in 1973.
213 00:10:46,900 00:10:49,540 He wanted to get the Brits out He wanted to get the Brits out
214 00:10:49,540 00:10:52,420 and create a united Ireland. and create a united Ireland.
215 00:10:52,420 00:10:54,980 Although he later fell out with the IRA, Although he later fell out with the IRA,
216 00:10:54,980 00:10:57,500 he understood their mind-set at the time. he understood their mind-set at the time.
217 00:10:57,500 00:10:59,260 BAND PLAYS BAND PLAYS
218 00:10:59,260 00:11:01,060 He would have been targeted, He would have been targeted,
219 00:11:01,060 00:11:05,260 and his targeting justified and his targeting justified
220 00:11:05,260 00:11:09,420 on the grounds that by taking him out, on the grounds that by taking him out,
221 00:11:09,420 00:11:13,620 there was a blow being administered there was a blow being administered
222 00:11:13,620 00:11:17,820 to the very heart of the British establishment. to the very heart of the British establishment.
223 00:11:17,820 00:11:19,420 HE SHOUTS COMMAND HE SHOUTS COMMAND
224 00:11:20,940 00:11:24,700 It turns out that throughout the 1970s, Lord Mountbatten It turns out that throughout the 1970s, Lord Mountbatten
225 00:11:24,700 00:11:28,060 had been a potential target for the IRA. had been a potential target for the IRA.
226 00:11:30,580 00:11:34,860 Kieran Conway had risen through the IRA's ranks to become Kieran Conway had risen through the IRA's ranks to become
227 00:11:34,860 00:11:37,660 its Director of Intelligence by 1975. its Director of Intelligence by 1975.
228 00:11:38,940 00:11:42,980 He reveals, for the first time, that an attempt on Mountbatten's life He reveals, for the first time, that an attempt on Mountbatten's life
229 00:11:42,980 00:11:46,340 had been actively considered four years before had been actively considered four years before
230 00:11:46,340 00:11:48,420 the successful assassination. the successful assassination.
231 00:11:48,420 00:11:49,940 In the mid-Seventies, In the mid-Seventies,
232 00:11:49,940 00:11:53,020 there was an operation cleared to kill Mountbatten. there was an operation cleared to kill Mountbatten.
233 00:11:54,660 00:11:58,260 He was to be ambushed either exiting or entering his castle. He was to be ambushed either exiting or entering his castle.
234 00:11:59,940 00:12:01,420 Four or five men, Four or five men,
235 00:12:01,420 00:12:04,740 a spotter car somewhere distant, a spotter car somewhere distant,
236 00:12:04,740 00:12:07,740 then walkie-talkie communication between the people with the guns then walkie-talkie communication between the people with the guns
237 00:12:07,740 00:12:10,580 and the car to say he's on his way. and the car to say he's on his way.
238 00:12:11,660 00:12:13,700 You'd know roughly how long it was going to take, You'd know roughly how long it was going to take,
239 00:12:13,700 00:12:17,340 and, er, then open up on the car. and, er, then open up on the car.
240 00:12:20,780 00:12:23,060 The mind-set in '74-'75, the early '70s, The mind-set in '74-'75, the early '70s,
241 00:12:23,060 00:12:27,260 would have been operational, you know? Like, kill them. Ha! would have been operational, you know? Like, kill them. Ha!
242 00:12:27,260 00:12:29,500 Without too much reflection. Without too much reflection.
243 00:12:32,340 00:12:37,380 I think he would have been astonished if told that there were I think he would have been astonished if told that there were
244 00:12:37,380 00:12:41,300 IRA members in Ireland who were interested in his existence, IRA members in Ireland who were interested in his existence,
245 00:12:41,300 00:12:43,180 let alone wanting to murder him. let alone wanting to murder him.
246 00:12:43,180 00:12:47,460 The 1975 plot did not get the go-ahead from The 1975 plot did not get the go-ahead from
247 00:12:47,460 00:12:50,100 the IRA's Army Council, the IRA's Army Council,
248 00:12:50,100 00:12:54,340 and Kieran Conway temporarily left the IRA later that year. and Kieran Conway temporarily left the IRA later that year.
249 00:12:55,380 00:12:57,540 EXPLOSION EXPLOSION
250 00:12:57,540 00:12:59,380 But the military campaign against But the military campaign against
251 00:12:59,380 00:13:01,820 the British security forces the British security forces
252 00:13:01,820 00:13:03,220 did not let up. did not let up.
253 00:13:03,220 00:13:07,100 In Crossmaglen, it takes all the professional skills of the Army In Crossmaglen, it takes all the professional skills of the Army
254 00:13:07,100 00:13:09,300 to make it safe enough for the Royal Ulster Constabulary to make it safe enough for the Royal Ulster Constabulary
255 00:13:09,300 00:13:11,140 to walk around the town where to walk around the town where
256 00:13:11,140 00:13:13,620 they're charged with maintaining law and order. they're charged with maintaining law and order.
257 00:13:13,620 00:13:15,700 Two of them have been gunned down here. Two of them have been gunned down here.
258 00:13:16,940 00:13:20,940 By 1979, the British Army had been in Northern Ireland By 1979, the British Army had been in Northern Ireland
259 00:13:20,940 00:13:22,740 for ten years. for ten years.
260 00:13:22,740 00:13:25,060 Around 30,000 troops were lined up against Around 30,000 troops were lined up against
261 00:13:25,060 00:13:30,060 an estimated 500 IRA volunteers, an estimated 500 IRA volunteers,
262 00:13:30,060 00:13:34,100 yet 324 soldiers had already been killed. yet 324 soldiers had already been killed.
263 00:13:35,940 00:13:39,180 And things were particularly dangerous in South Armagh, And things were particularly dangerous in South Armagh,
264 00:13:39,180 00:13:42,420 which runs along the Irish border. which runs along the Irish border.
265 00:13:42,420 00:13:44,260 Bombings and shootings. Bombings and shootings.
266 00:13:46,860 00:13:51,940 South Armagh had a fairly notorious reputation as being dangerous. South Armagh had a fairly notorious reputation as being dangerous.
267 00:13:53,300 00:13:55,020 More dangerous, perhaps, More dangerous, perhaps,
268 00:13:55,020 00:13:58,460 than any other battalion area. than any other battalion area.
269 00:13:58,460 00:14:01,940 Of course, South Armagh adjoins the Republic... Of course, South Armagh adjoins the Republic...
270 00:14:02,980 00:14:05,420 ..so life on the border was, um... ..so life on the border was, um...
271 00:14:06,620 00:14:08,260 ..er, challenging. ..er, challenging.
272 00:14:11,700 00:14:14,740 The South Armagh Brigade was, er, beyond belief. The South Armagh Brigade was, er, beyond belief.
273 00:14:15,900 00:14:18,580 Just its ability, their operational efficiency. Just its ability, their operational efficiency.
274 00:14:18,580 00:14:21,180 They were, erm, visibly beating the British. They were, erm, visibly beating the British.
275 00:14:26,380 00:14:28,220 In the summer of 1979, In the summer of 1979,
276 00:14:28,220 00:14:30,540 the South Armagh Brigade the South Armagh Brigade
277 00:14:30,540 00:14:31,980 was plotting two of the most was plotting two of the most
278 00:14:31,980 00:14:33,220 ambitious attacks of ambitious attacks of
279 00:14:33,220 00:14:36,220 the IRA's campaign so far. the IRA's campaign so far.
280 00:14:36,220 00:14:37,980 One in Warrenpoint, One in Warrenpoint,
281 00:14:37,980 00:14:40,540 the other just south of the other just south of
282 00:14:40,540 00:14:42,340 the border, in Mullaghmore. the border, in Mullaghmore.
283 00:14:44,980 00:14:47,820 There, during the night of the 26th of August, There, during the night of the 26th of August,
284 00:14:47,820 00:14:50,260 the IRA planted a remote-controlled the IRA planted a remote-controlled
285 00:14:50,260 00:14:51,700 50-pound bomb on 50-pound bomb on
286 00:14:51,700 00:14:55,460 Lord Mountbatten's boat, Shadow V, Lord Mountbatten's boat, Shadow V,
287 00:14:55,460 00:14:58,780 sitting unguarded in the harbour. sitting unguarded in the harbour.
288 00:15:17,740 00:15:19,940 I went on duty at 6am... I went on duty at 6am...
289 00:15:21,660 00:15:23,340 ..up at the castle here. ..up at the castle here.
290 00:15:25,420 00:15:28,420 9:00-9:30, Lord Mountbatten 9:00-9:30, Lord Mountbatten
291 00:15:28,420 00:15:31,220 and his family and his family
292 00:15:31,220 00:15:34,460 came out from the castle and informed us that they were came out from the castle and informed us that they were
293 00:15:34,460 00:15:36,460 going down to the pier. going down to the pier.
294 00:15:36,460 00:15:38,420 So, we got into a patrol car So, we got into a patrol car
295 00:15:38,420 00:15:40,500 and we escorted them. and we escorted them.
296 00:15:44,060 00:15:45,900 In this unique photograph, In this unique photograph,
297 00:15:45,900 00:15:48,180 taken just 24 hours earlier, taken just 24 hours earlier,
298 00:15:48,180 00:15:50,140 showing the family and staff showing the family and staff
299 00:15:50,140 00:15:51,660 outside Classiebawn, outside Classiebawn,
300 00:15:51,660 00:15:53,060 all the members of all the members of
301 00:15:53,060 00:15:55,860 Lord Mountbatten's boat party are present. Lord Mountbatten's boat party are present.
302 00:15:55,860 00:15:57,980 His son-in-law, Lord Brabourne, His son-in-law, Lord Brabourne,
303 00:15:57,980 00:16:00,340 and his daughter, Patricia, and his daughter, Patricia,
304 00:16:00,340 00:16:01,980 their 14-year-old twin sons, their 14-year-old twin sons,
305 00:16:01,980 00:16:04,300 Timothy and Nicholas Knatchbull, Timothy and Nicholas Knatchbull,
306 00:16:04,300 00:16:08,660 and their 83-year-old grandmother, Doreen, the Lady Dowager. and their 83-year-old grandmother, Doreen, the Lady Dowager.
307 00:16:08,660 00:16:10,340 The only non-family member on board The only non-family member on board
308 00:16:10,340 00:16:15,140 was the 15-year-old Northern Irish boat boy, Paul Maxwell. was the 15-year-old Northern Irish boat boy, Paul Maxwell.
309 00:16:19,020 00:16:22,740 The day itself comes to me in flashes, The day itself comes to me in flashes,
310 00:16:22,740 00:16:24,300 rather like small explosions. rather like small explosions.
311 00:16:26,060 00:16:30,260 I remember distinctly sitting in the library with my brother. I remember distinctly sitting in the library with my brother.
312 00:16:30,260 00:16:33,660 My grandfather and the others had gone out on the boat, My grandfather and the others had gone out on the boat,
313 00:16:33,660 00:16:36,500 and Ash and I were watching - on this crackly, fuzzy and Ash and I were watching - on this crackly, fuzzy
314 00:16:36,500 00:16:38,540 television screen - Laurel and Hardy. television screen - Laurel and Hardy.
315 00:16:40,980 00:16:45,540 On that day, August 27th, 1979, On that day, August 27th, 1979,
316 00:16:45,540 00:16:49,900 I was sitting on the back patio, with I was sitting on the back patio, with
317 00:16:49,900 00:16:53,180 Paul's father and Lisa. Paul's father and Lisa.
318 00:16:53,180 00:16:57,420 Paul said, "Goodbye, Mum, see you in the evening." Paul said, "Goodbye, Mum, see you in the evening."
319 00:16:59,180 00:17:04,540 I didn't think that was the last time I would ever see him alive. I didn't think that was the last time I would ever see him alive.
320 00:17:11,860 00:17:13,700 Beautiful morning, it was. Beautiful morning, it was.
321 00:17:13,700 00:17:16,100 The sun was shining. The sun was shining.
322 00:17:16,100 00:17:18,740 They left Mullaghmore Pier and They left Mullaghmore Pier and
323 00:17:18,740 00:17:20,180 travelled out to travelled out to
324 00:17:20,180 00:17:22,100 where they had some lobster pots. where they had some lobster pots.
325 00:17:41,660 00:17:43,340 This is where we were. This is where we were.
326 00:17:43,340 00:17:46,020 Yes, looking out here. Because... Yes, looking out here. Because...
327 00:17:46,020 00:17:48,340 you can see the boat as it came along. you can see the boat as it came along.
328 00:17:52,980 00:17:56,140 Dennis Devlin was a 15-year-old, Dennis Devlin was a 15-year-old,
329 00:17:56,140 00:17:58,780 whose family came to Mullaghmore every summer. whose family came to Mullaghmore every summer.
330 00:17:58,780 00:18:00,380 Their caravan was parked Their caravan was parked
331 00:18:00,380 00:18:02,100 just off the coastal road. just off the coastal road.
332 00:18:12,820 00:18:15,180 As they came in, I could hear them talking. As they came in, I could hear them talking.
333 00:18:16,860 00:18:18,780 Talking among themselves. Talking among themselves.
334 00:18:22,300 00:18:23,580 As the boat pulled up, As the boat pulled up,
335 00:18:23,580 00:18:26,340 I remember the young fella over the side of the boat I remember the young fella over the side of the boat
336 00:18:26,340 00:18:29,180 pulling in the lobster pot, and slowly pulled it in. pulling in the lobster pot, and slowly pulled it in.
337 00:18:43,500 00:18:49,540 Suddenly, there was a flash of light and a loud bang. Suddenly, there was a flash of light and a loud bang.
338 00:18:49,540 00:18:52,020 You could see the boat had just disintegrated. You could see the boat had just disintegrated.
339 00:18:52,020 00:18:55,260 It was obvious that a bomb had gone off. It was obvious that a bomb had gone off.
340 00:18:58,540 00:19:01,340 There was an almighty bang. There was an almighty bang.
341 00:19:01,340 00:19:04,460 A huge crack, like thunder. A huge crack, like thunder.
342 00:19:06,540 00:19:09,620 And I immediately said, And I immediately said,
343 00:19:09,620 00:19:11,340 "Paul is dead." "Paul is dead."
344 00:19:13,940 00:19:20,860 And I knew he was dead because I felt a part of me go. And I knew he was dead because I felt a part of me go.
345 00:19:26,100 00:19:28,740 My brother, sister and I were taken My brother, sister and I were taken
346 00:19:28,740 00:19:31,380 into the study and, before anything, into the study and, before anything,
347 00:19:31,380 00:19:33,620 we were asked to take these pills, with a glass of water. we were asked to take these pills, with a glass of water.
348 00:19:33,620 00:19:35,460 I'd never taken a pill in my life before. I'd never taken a pill in my life before.
349 00:19:35,460 00:19:41,500 And that, to me, was more surprising than anything of that day. And that, to me, was more surprising than anything of that day.
350 00:19:41,500 00:19:44,220 I couldn't understand why I was being made to take a pill. I couldn't understand why I was being made to take a pill.
351 00:19:44,220 00:19:46,980 Again, I think it's so reflective of the era that they were in, Again, I think it's so reflective of the era that they were in,
352 00:19:46,980 00:19:49,700 in the 1970s, that someone would have had Valium on them, in the 1970s, that someone would have had Valium on them,
353 00:19:49,700 00:19:52,540 for God's sakes, and said, let's give it to the children. for God's sakes, and said, let's give it to the children.
354 00:19:52,540 00:19:54,780 I mean, dear God, would you give an 11-year-old a Valium?! I mean, dear God, would you give an 11-year-old a Valium?!
355 00:19:56,140 00:19:59,380 I, for some reason, left the castle I, for some reason, left the castle
356 00:19:59,380 00:20:01,220 and ran down to the beach, and ran down to the beach,
357 00:20:01,220 00:20:03,500 which wasn't helpful at all, which wasn't helpful at all,
358 00:20:03,500 00:20:06,140 and incredibly inconsiderate of me, now I look back. and incredibly inconsiderate of me, now I look back.
359 00:20:06,140 00:20:08,620 I remember sitting on the rocks I remember sitting on the rocks
360 00:20:08,620 00:20:10,620 down at the beach, in my mind, down at the beach, in my mind,
361 00:20:10,620 00:20:13,260 going over - 27th of August, 27th of August. going over - 27th of August, 27th of August.
362 00:20:13,260 00:20:15,740 And I kept saying, 1979, I'll never forget this date. And I kept saying, 1979, I'll never forget this date.
363 00:20:15,740 00:20:18,060 And I don't. I don't. And I don't. I don't.
364 00:20:18,060 00:20:21,780 VOICE BREAKING: Every year, that date comes round and we remember it. VOICE BREAKING: Every year, that date comes round and we remember it.
365 00:20:21,780 00:20:25,820 Um... And, erm... And, er... Um... And, erm... And, er...
366 00:20:25,820 00:20:29,660 And it was just such an incredibly beautiful day. And it was just such an incredibly beautiful day.
367 00:20:29,660 00:20:33,140 And on the rocks, this incredible view. And on the rocks, this incredible view.
368 00:20:33,140 00:20:36,220 And yet, you know, destruction. And yet, you know, destruction.
369 00:20:36,220 00:20:37,820 I'm so sorry, I don't... I'm so sorry, I don't...
370 00:20:37,820 00:20:39,940 I don't normally get upset. I don't normally get upset.
371 00:20:41,060 00:20:42,580 SHE CHUCKLES SHE CHUCKLES
372 00:20:47,940 00:20:49,660 I remember it very vividly, I remember it very vividly,
373 00:20:49,660 00:20:51,180 every moment of it, really. every moment of it, really.
374 00:20:51,180 00:20:52,660 From the very start From the very start
375 00:20:52,660 00:20:55,620 to the very end of the day. And I think I'll always remember it. to the very end of the day. And I think I'll always remember it.
376 00:20:59,460 00:21:02,180 Lord Mountbatten's boat had exploded. Lord Mountbatten's boat had exploded.
377 00:21:02,180 00:21:05,260 So, immediately, I got two friends So, immediately, I got two friends
378 00:21:05,260 00:21:08,500 and we went out on the boat to see what we could do. and we went out on the boat to see what we could do.
379 00:21:08,500 00:21:12,060 And, erm, we arrived there and there was other boats And, erm, we arrived there and there was other boats
380 00:21:12,060 00:21:14,620 that were in the near vicinity, they were already... that were in the near vicinity, they were already...
381 00:21:14,620 00:21:16,180 lifting the survivors. lifting the survivors.
382 00:21:24,660 00:21:27,900 I think when we actually took him from the boat I think when we actually took him from the boat
383 00:21:27,900 00:21:31,260 that he'd been brought ashore in and brought him to the ambulance. that he'd been brought ashore in and brought him to the ambulance.
384 00:21:31,260 00:21:33,500 That's the first that I realised that That's the first that I realised that
385 00:21:33,500 00:21:37,140 he had actually been one of the fatalities. He was one of the first he had actually been one of the fatalities. He was one of the first
386 00:21:37,140 00:21:38,780 that was actually taken ashore. that was actually taken ashore.
387 00:21:44,580 00:21:47,500 It was a perfectly ordinary day, that August Bank Holiday. It was a perfectly ordinary day, that August Bank Holiday.
388 00:21:47,500 00:21:48,940 I was helping to put together I was helping to put together
389 00:21:48,940 00:21:51,180 the lunchtime bulletin for Radio Ulster. the lunchtime bulletin for Radio Ulster.
390 00:21:51,180 00:21:54,980 Nicholas Witchell was a trainee reporter at the time, Nicholas Witchell was a trainee reporter at the time,
391 00:21:54,980 00:21:58,060 in the BBC newsroom in Belfast. in the BBC newsroom in Belfast.
392 00:21:58,060 00:22:00,500 We received a tip-off from somebody we knew, We received a tip-off from somebody we knew,
393 00:22:00,500 00:22:02,180 suggesting that there had been suggesting that there had been
394 00:22:02,180 00:22:04,580 an explosion reported at Mullaghmore, an explosion reported at Mullaghmore,
395 00:22:04,580 00:22:06,620 in the Republic of Ireland. in the Republic of Ireland.
396 00:22:06,620 00:22:11,140 I do remember forming the words on my pad, "Mountbatten, dead". I do remember forming the words on my pad, "Mountbatten, dead".
397 00:22:14,700 00:22:18,380 By now, all but one of the bodies of the boat party By now, all but one of the bodies of the boat party
398 00:22:18,380 00:22:20,020 had been recovered. had been recovered.
399 00:22:20,020 00:22:22,820 Lord Mountbatten and Paul Maxwell Lord Mountbatten and Paul Maxwell
400 00:22:22,820 00:22:24,860 had been killed instantly. had been killed instantly.
401 00:22:24,860 00:22:28,740 The 83-year-old dowager, fatally injured. The 83-year-old dowager, fatally injured.
402 00:22:28,740 00:22:32,620 The parents of the twins were also seriously wounded, The parents of the twins were also seriously wounded,
403 00:22:32,620 00:22:35,860 as was 14-year-old Timothy. as was 14-year-old Timothy.
404 00:22:35,860 00:22:38,900 His twin brother, Nicholas, was still missing. His twin brother, Nicholas, was still missing.
405 00:22:44,980 00:22:47,060 You could see this beautiful You could see this beautiful
406 00:22:47,060 00:22:48,860 blue azure sea, just off to blue azure sea, just off to
407 00:22:48,860 00:22:53,140 the north end of the little peninsula which Mullaghmore is. the north end of the little peninsula which Mullaghmore is.
408 00:22:54,780 00:22:58,060 We could see a lot of debris. We could see a lot of debris.
409 00:22:58,060 00:23:00,900 Splinters of wood. It was fine debris. Splinters of wood. It was fine debris.
410 00:23:00,900 00:23:02,620 Quite fine debris, it was. Quite fine debris, it was.
411 00:23:07,740 00:23:10,220 I was winched from the rescue helicopter... I was winched from the rescue helicopter...
412 00:23:12,580 00:23:14,660 ..and I was placed into the water, ..and I was placed into the water,
413 00:23:14,660 00:23:18,100 beside what looked like the bubble of an anorak. beside what looked like the bubble of an anorak.
414 00:23:20,740 00:23:23,380 I placed my hand and pulled it, I placed my hand and pulled it,
415 00:23:23,380 00:23:25,580 and it didn't yield very easily. and it didn't yield very easily.
416 00:23:25,580 00:23:27,220 And I pulled it a second time, And I pulled it a second time,
417 00:23:27,220 00:23:30,900 and it was then the head came up with the jacket as I pulled, and it was then the head came up with the jacket as I pulled,
418 00:23:30,900 00:23:33,180 and I realised it was a child. and I realised it was a child.
419 00:23:36,460 00:23:38,220 Imagine what those Imagine what those
420 00:23:38,220 00:23:41,100 thick Aran sweaters must have felt like, thick Aran sweaters must have felt like,
421 00:23:41,100 00:23:46,540 clogged with oil and water, being lifted out of the ocean. clogged with oil and water, being lifted out of the ocean.
422 00:23:46,540 00:23:51,700 You know, how long had Nick been floating in the water, you know? You know, how long had Nick been floating in the water, you know?
423 00:23:53,460 00:23:55,260 It was the first child It was the first child
424 00:23:55,260 00:23:57,500 that I handled in death. that I handled in death.
425 00:23:57,500 00:24:00,100 It came as a terrible shock to me, I can tell you, It came as a terrible shock to me, I can tell you,
426 00:24:00,100 00:24:02,340 but I'm in rescue mode. but I'm in rescue mode.
427 00:24:02,340 00:24:04,420 I need to get him out of that water. I need to get him out of that water.
428 00:24:04,420 00:24:07,460 I need to give him over to his family. I need to give him over to his family.
429 00:24:08,620 00:24:11,300 14-year-old Nicholas Knatchbull's body 14-year-old Nicholas Knatchbull's body
430 00:24:11,300 00:24:13,820 was returned to Mullaghmore Harbour. was returned to Mullaghmore Harbour.
431 00:24:16,020 00:24:19,100 It's the last photograph we have of Paul. It's the last photograph we have of Paul.
432 00:24:19,100 00:24:20,460 That's Paul. That's Paul.
433 00:24:21,460 00:24:23,500 And that is... And that is...
434 00:24:23,500 00:24:27,100 Nicky and Timmy. Nicky and Timmy.
435 00:24:27,100 00:24:28,500 So, one boy survived, So, one boy survived,
436 00:24:28,500 00:24:30,220 and the other two were killed? and the other two were killed?
437 00:24:30,220 00:24:35,060 He survived because he was up on the roof. He survived because he was up on the roof.
438 00:24:36,740 00:24:40,580 Mountbatten was in the middle, between Mountbatten was in the middle, between
439 00:24:40,580 00:24:43,820 Paul and Nicky. Paul and Nicky.
440 00:24:43,820 00:24:46,660 And so, they got the full blast. And so, they got the full blast.
441 00:24:55,820 00:24:58,460 Later that afternoon, I had a phone call from Later that afternoon, I had a phone call from
442 00:24:58,460 00:24:59,940 a contact I knew within a contact I knew within
443 00:24:59,940 00:25:02,380 the Republican movement, who asked, the Republican movement, who asked,
444 00:25:02,380 00:25:06,980 most unusually, to drive up to the Falls Road to meet him. most unusually, to drive up to the Falls Road to meet him.
445 00:25:06,980 00:25:09,940 Opened the door, he got into the car, Opened the door, he got into the car,
446 00:25:09,940 00:25:12,060 sat down beside me, we drove on. sat down beside me, we drove on.
447 00:25:12,060 00:25:14,220 Then he reached into his mouth... Then he reached into his mouth...
448 00:25:15,100 00:25:16,500 ..like that, ..like that,
449 00:25:16,500 00:25:19,340 and drew out a small scrap of paper, and drew out a small scrap of paper,
450 00:25:19,340 00:25:23,260 which was wrapped up in clingfilm, which was wrapped up in clingfilm,
451 00:25:23,260 00:25:25,860 unwrapped it, and this was the... unwrapped it, and this was the...
452 00:25:25,860 00:25:28,540 a telexed message which contained a telexed message which contained
453 00:25:28,540 00:25:31,300 the IRA claim of responsibility for, as they put it, the IRA claim of responsibility for, as they put it,
454 00:25:31,300 00:25:33,980 the execution of Lord Mountbatten. the execution of Lord Mountbatten.
455 00:25:38,660 00:25:40,900 The choice of the word "execution" is very deliberate. The choice of the word "execution" is very deliberate.
456 00:25:42,260 00:25:45,180 It is an attempt to imply that there was some kind of a justification. It is an attempt to imply that there was some kind of a justification.
457 00:25:45,180 00:25:48,620 I mean, execution implies a judicial process. I mean, execution implies a judicial process.
458 00:25:48,620 00:25:50,860 Clearly, you know, absolutely inappropriate. Clearly, you know, absolutely inappropriate.
459 00:25:50,860 00:25:55,100 By killing Mountbatten, you sent ripples By killing Mountbatten, you sent ripples
460 00:25:55,100 00:25:58,020 around the world, in a way which probably, around the world, in a way which probably,
461 00:25:58,020 00:26:02,020 no other assassination could have achieved. no other assassination could have achieved.
462 00:26:04,140 00:26:06,580 While people were still reeling from the news that While people were still reeling from the news that
463 00:26:06,580 00:26:07,820 a member of the royal family a member of the royal family
464 00:26:07,820 00:26:09,540 had been killed at Mullaghmore, had been killed at Mullaghmore,
465 00:26:09,540 00:26:14,740 the IRA's operations that day were not yet over. the IRA's operations that day were not yet over.
466 00:26:16,260 00:26:19,260 Now, the British Army was in their sights. Now, the British Army was in their sights.
467 00:26:20,700 00:26:22,420 Later that afternoon, Later that afternoon,
468 00:26:22,420 00:26:24,540 over 100 miles away, members from over 100 miles away, members from
469 00:26:24,540 00:26:26,820 another South Armagh unit were another South Armagh unit were
470 00:26:26,820 00:26:29,220 lying in wait by the Newry River, lying in wait by the Newry River,
471 00:26:29,220 00:26:30,660 on the southern side of on the southern side of
472 00:26:30,660 00:26:33,100 the Irish border. They were hoping the Irish border. They were hoping
473 00:26:33,100 00:26:35,300 to blow up a British Army convoy, to blow up a British Army convoy,
474 00:26:35,300 00:26:36,940 travelling along the road from travelling along the road from
475 00:26:36,940 00:26:38,780 Warrenpoint, across the river, Warrenpoint, across the river,
476 00:26:38,780 00:26:41,060 in Northern Ireland, by detonating in Northern Ireland, by detonating
477 00:26:41,060 00:26:42,940 two radio-controlled bombs two radio-controlled bombs
478 00:26:42,940 00:26:45,100 that they'd planted earlier. that they'd planted earlier.
479 00:26:45,100 00:26:47,380 One - a 700-pound device hidden One - a 700-pound device hidden
480 00:26:47,380 00:26:49,980 in a lorry piled high with straw - in a lorry piled high with straw -
481 00:26:49,980 00:26:52,660 was parked in a lay-by. The other - was parked in a lay-by. The other -
482 00:26:52,660 00:26:55,020 £1,000-worth of explosive - £1,000-worth of explosive -
483 00:26:55,020 00:26:57,260 hidden in a nearby gate lodge. hidden in a nearby gate lodge.
484 00:27:02,340 00:27:04,180 So, I went down. I remember So, I went down. I remember
485 00:27:04,180 00:27:07,020 messing about with a car behind us. messing about with a car behind us.
486 00:27:07,020 00:27:10,860 Tom Caughey was a local boy from Newtownards, Tom Caughey was a local boy from Newtownards,
487 00:27:10,860 00:27:13,940 who had joined the Parachute Regiment at 18, who had joined the Parachute Regiment at 18,
488 00:27:13,940 00:27:16,300 as his father had before him. as his father had before him.
489 00:27:16,300 00:27:18,220 That day, he was a passenger That day, he was a passenger
490 00:27:18,220 00:27:21,020 in the lead vehicle of the two-truck convoy. in the lead vehicle of the two-truck convoy.
491 00:27:22,980 00:27:24,700 We had a packed lunch, We had a packed lunch,
492 00:27:24,700 00:27:27,580 and we'd oranges, and we made little teeth out of the orange, you know. and we'd oranges, and we made little teeth out of the orange, you know.
493 00:27:27,580 00:27:29,740 And there was a car with... And there was a car with...
494 00:27:29,740 00:27:31,580 a lady and kids in it. a lady and kids in it.
495 00:27:32,620 00:27:36,140 We were smiling at them, you know, that type of banter. We were smiling at them, you know, that type of banter.
496 00:27:37,140 00:27:38,700 Ten minutes later, we were blown up. Ten minutes later, we were blown up.
497 00:27:38,700 00:27:40,540 EXPLOSION EXPLOSION
498 00:27:40,540 00:27:44,380 BLEEPING BLEEPING
499 00:27:44,380 00:27:46,220 Not a bang, just a rumble. Not a bang, just a rumble.
500 00:27:46,220 00:27:49,460 And I had the sensation of flying. And I had the sensation of flying.
501 00:27:51,140 00:27:54,940 Coming... Not even coming to, just... Coming... Not even coming to, just...
502 00:27:54,940 00:27:58,780 looking about, sitting there, and everything's just a mess. looking about, sitting there, and everything's just a mess.
503 00:28:02,260 00:28:04,700 I came into the roundabout I came into the roundabout
504 00:28:04,700 00:28:07,460 and you couldn't see past the roundabout. and you couldn't see past the roundabout.
505 00:28:07,460 00:28:09,220 Totally obscured with smoke. Totally obscured with smoke.
506 00:28:10,620 00:28:14,020 Peter Maloy was a freelance photographer at the time, Peter Maloy was a freelance photographer at the time,
507 00:28:14,020 00:28:17,460 who just happened to be passing. who just happened to be passing.
508 00:28:17,460 00:28:20,740 I got out, grabbed the cameras, I got out, grabbed the cameras,
509 00:28:20,740 00:28:23,580 and just as I'm going into it, a policeman's coming running out and just as I'm going into it, a policeman's coming running out
510 00:28:23,580 00:28:26,860 and he's screaming. He says, and he's screaming. He says,
511 00:28:26,860 00:28:28,940 "Don't go in there, they're all dead." "Don't go in there, they're all dead."
512 00:28:28,940 00:28:32,140 I just put the camera into autofocus I just put the camera into autofocus
513 00:28:32,140 00:28:35,060 and I just shot generally. and I just shot generally.
514 00:28:38,780 00:28:42,500 The first thing I saw was a long wheelbased jeep, The first thing I saw was a long wheelbased jeep,
515 00:28:42,500 00:28:45,020 and there were soldiers in that, and... and there were soldiers in that, and...
516 00:28:45,020 00:28:49,500 one look told you they were obviously dead. And the heat, one look told you they were obviously dead. And the heat,
517 00:28:49,500 00:28:51,860 you couldn't really go too close to it. you couldn't really go too close to it.
518 00:28:53,220 00:28:54,700 Everything was burning. Everything was burning.
519 00:28:54,700 00:28:56,820 And my legs were on fire. And my legs were on fire.
520 00:28:56,820 00:28:58,700 No, I couldn't move. No, I couldn't move.
521 00:28:58,700 00:28:59,940 And the next thing, And the next thing,
522 00:28:59,940 00:29:01,780 the guys were on me. the guys were on me.
523 00:29:01,780 00:29:05,060 They were pouring water, you know, trying to put me out. They were pouring water, you know, trying to put me out.
524 00:29:05,060 00:29:08,300 And one of the guys, er, And one of the guys, er,
525 00:29:08,300 00:29:11,980 give me his red beret to put over my face, give me his red beret to put over my face,
526 00:29:11,980 00:29:14,180 to keep the sun off it. to keep the sun off it.
527 00:29:14,180 00:29:17,620 And I can remember lying there and... And I can remember lying there and...
528 00:29:17,620 00:29:19,060 voices... voices...
529 00:29:20,260 00:29:23,500 Dead. He's dead. He's dead. They're dead, they're dead, they're dead. Dead. He's dead. He's dead. They're dead, they're dead, they're dead.
530 00:29:23,500 00:29:26,340 And voices getting closer to me. And voices getting closer to me.
531 00:29:26,340 00:29:29,940 And whether I imagined this, I don't know, And whether I imagined this, I don't know,
532 00:29:29,940 00:29:35,140 but I vividly remember it. I remember saying, "I'm not dead." but I vividly remember it. I remember saying, "I'm not dead."
533 00:29:35,140 00:29:37,540 You know, and taking the beret off, you know? You know, and taking the beret off, you know?
534 00:29:37,540 00:29:39,180 It was like a roll call of the dead. It was like a roll call of the dead.
535 00:29:43,220 00:29:46,060 Seven of the nine Paras travelling Seven of the nine Paras travelling
536 00:29:46,060 00:29:48,500 in the first truck had been killed. in the first truck had been killed.
537 00:29:48,500 00:29:51,540 Tom Caughey, along with his friend, Tom Caughey, along with his friend,
538 00:29:51,540 00:29:53,740 Paul Burns, were the only survivors. Paul Burns, were the only survivors.
539 00:29:53,740 00:29:57,220 But the carnage didn't end there. But the carnage didn't end there.
540 00:30:00,860 00:30:03,380 A very fine English voice shouted, A very fine English voice shouted,
541 00:30:03,380 00:30:06,860 "There could be a second bomb! Take hard cover!" "There could be a second bomb! Take hard cover!"
542 00:30:08,820 00:30:11,780 And they all went over And they all went over
543 00:30:11,780 00:30:13,740 towards the gate lodge. towards the gate lodge.
544 00:30:13,740 00:30:16,700 Across the river, the IRA bombers Across the river, the IRA bombers
545 00:30:16,700 00:30:18,380 were lying in wait, were lying in wait,
546 00:30:18,380 00:30:21,420 ready to detonate the second bomb. ready to detonate the second bomb.
547 00:30:21,420 00:30:23,060 They'd predicted correctly They'd predicted correctly
548 00:30:23,060 00:30:24,740 where the surviving British troops where the surviving British troops
549 00:30:24,740 00:30:26,700 were likely to regroup. were likely to regroup.
550 00:30:27,980 00:30:29,540 I remember getting put in a chopper, I remember getting put in a chopper,
551 00:30:29,540 00:30:32,980 and Paul Burns being put in. and Paul Burns being put in.
552 00:30:32,980 00:30:34,860 I remember the look on his face, and he was like I remember the look on his face, and he was like
553 00:30:34,860 00:30:36,980 something out of Tom and Jerry. something out of Tom and Jerry.
554 00:30:36,980 00:30:40,540 When the cigar goes off in your mouth and your face is black. When the cigar goes off in your mouth and your face is black.
555 00:30:40,540 00:30:43,300 And we'd all little... And we'd all little...
556 00:30:43,300 00:30:45,780 He was like a strawman. You know... He was like a strawman. You know...
557 00:30:45,780 00:30:48,540 Bits of straw stuck in his face. Bits of straw stuck in his face.
558 00:30:48,540 00:30:50,220 And then... And then...
559 00:30:50,220 00:30:52,980 Boof! Bang, it goes again. Boof! Bang, it goes again.
560 00:30:52,980 00:30:54,420 Boom! Boom!
561 00:31:00,300 00:31:01,820 I was thrown back I was thrown back
562 00:31:01,820 00:31:05,660 and I got up again and I got up again
563 00:31:05,660 00:31:08,100 and it was over. and it was over.
564 00:31:08,100 00:31:09,500 Basically, it was over. Basically, it was over.
565 00:31:14,020 00:31:18,660 August 27th had started badly for Mike Jackson. August 27th had started badly for Mike Jackson.
566 00:31:19,980 00:31:22,180 The news came through of The news came through of
567 00:31:22,180 00:31:24,620 the Mullaghmore bombing the Mullaghmore bombing
568 00:31:24,620 00:31:29,340 and the death of Earl Mountbatten, amongst others, and the death of Earl Mountbatten, amongst others,
569 00:31:29,340 00:31:31,660 which was obviously very shocking. which was obviously very shocking.
570 00:31:32,740 00:31:36,380 Now, as the news broke that his fellow Paras had been ambushed Now, as the news broke that his fellow Paras had been ambushed
571 00:31:36,380 00:31:38,180 at Warrenpoint, Jackson himself at Warrenpoint, Jackson himself
572 00:31:38,180 00:31:41,020 was called into action. was called into action.
573 00:31:42,660 00:31:45,780 The Brigade Commander looked at me and said, The Brigade Commander looked at me and said,
574 00:31:45,780 00:31:47,380 "Mike, what are you doing here? "Mike, what are you doing here?
575 00:31:47,380 00:31:50,020 You go down to the site and secure it, You go down to the site and secure it,
576 00:31:50,020 00:31:52,860 and take on all the aftermath." and take on all the aftermath."
577 00:31:52,860 00:31:55,220 So, I gave out some rapid orders, So, I gave out some rapid orders,
578 00:31:55,220 00:31:57,580 um, and... um, and...
579 00:31:57,580 00:31:59,700 got on the first light helicopter got on the first light helicopter
580 00:31:59,700 00:32:01,140 I could. I could.
581 00:32:02,820 00:32:04,380 There's no communication, There's no communication,
582 00:32:04,380 00:32:06,020 all telephones are cut off, all telephones are cut off,
583 00:32:06,020 00:32:10,500 so you're waiting for word to come back from your own... so you're waiting for word to come back from your own...
584 00:32:10,500 00:32:14,140 from your own lads to what actually is going on. from your own lads to what actually is going on.
585 00:32:14,140 00:32:18,020 Is there a bit of you thinking, that's my mates? Yes. Is there a bit of you thinking, that's my mates? Yes.
586 00:32:18,020 00:32:21,100 Absolutely. And you want to know who it was, because you know that Absolutely. And you want to know who it was, because you know that
587 00:32:21,100 00:32:23,100 some of your mates were being killed, were killed. some of your mates were being killed, were killed.
588 00:32:23,100 00:32:24,980 So, yes, you did want to know. So, yes, you did want to know.
589 00:32:24,980 00:32:31,060 Dead. Dead.
590 00:32:31,060 00:32:33,860 Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead.
591 00:32:38,460 00:32:40,540 A further 11 British soldiers A further 11 British soldiers
592 00:32:40,540 00:32:41,780 had been killed in had been killed in
593 00:32:41,780 00:32:43,180 the second explosion. the second explosion.
594 00:32:48,500 00:32:51,140 I get to Warrenpoint I get to Warrenpoint
595 00:32:51,140 00:32:54,380 and, um, it's a pretty grim site, and, um, it's a pretty grim site,
596 00:32:54,380 00:32:55,980 as you can imagine. as you can imagine.
597 00:32:59,420 00:33:01,060 There were body parts, um, There were body parts, um,
598 00:33:01,060 00:33:03,580 pretty much everywhere. pretty much everywhere.
599 00:33:03,580 00:33:05,980 In the trees, everywhere. In the trees, everywhere.
600 00:33:05,980 00:33:09,380 Um, and, er... Um, and, er...
601 00:33:09,380 00:33:12,100 those who had survived, those who had survived,
602 00:33:12,100 00:33:14,460 um, were in shock. um, were in shock.
603 00:33:19,620 00:33:21,460 It was absolutely obvious, It was absolutely obvious,
604 00:33:21,460 00:33:23,780 right from the earliest point, right from the earliest point,
605 00:33:23,780 00:33:25,220 that this was that this was
606 00:33:25,220 00:33:28,820 a death toll on an exceptional scale. a death toll on an exceptional scale.
607 00:33:30,140 00:33:32,420 It transpired, of course, that 18 soldiers It transpired, of course, that 18 soldiers
608 00:33:32,420 00:33:34,980 had lost their lives - the greatest single loss of life had lost their lives - the greatest single loss of life
609 00:33:34,980 00:33:37,180 that the British Army had suffered that the British Army had suffered
610 00:33:37,180 00:33:38,340 in Northern Ireland. in Northern Ireland.
611 00:33:48,540 00:33:50,820 Theirs were not the only lives lost Theirs were not the only lives lost
612 00:33:50,820 00:33:53,140 that afternoon at Warrenpoint. that afternoon at Warrenpoint.
613 00:33:53,140 00:33:55,900 Barry Hudson had been getting ready to go to work Barry Hudson had been getting ready to go to work
614 00:33:55,900 00:33:59,140 at the family's funfair business in Omeath, at the family's funfair business in Omeath,
615 00:33:59,140 00:34:01,820 on the southern side of the border. on the southern side of the border.
616 00:34:01,820 00:34:03,980 He had been joined that summer He had been joined that summer
617 00:34:03,980 00:34:07,100 by his 29-year-old cousin from England, Bill. by his 29-year-old cousin from England, Bill.
618 00:34:08,340 00:34:10,860 All of a sudden, we heard this... All of a sudden, we heard this...
619 00:34:10,860 00:34:18,100 thump, right? And, erm, I remember Bill saying, "Oh, what was that?" thump, right? And, erm, I remember Bill saying, "Oh, what was that?"
620 00:34:18,100 00:34:20,300 And I said, "It sounded like a bomb." And I said, "It sounded like a bomb."
621 00:34:20,300 00:34:23,460 He said to me, "Could you bring me down? Let me have a look." He said to me, "Could you bring me down? Let me have a look."
622 00:34:26,980 00:34:30,260 In the mayhem following the two bomb blasts, In the mayhem following the two bomb blasts,
623 00:34:30,260 00:34:33,020 the surviving Paras spotted the figures of Barry the surviving Paras spotted the figures of Barry
624 00:34:33,020 00:34:36,580 and his cousin, Bill, on the other side of the river, and his cousin, Bill, on the other side of the river,
625 00:34:36,580 00:34:39,580 and wrongly imagined them to be and wrongly imagined them to be
626 00:34:39,580 00:34:40,980 the IRA bombers. the IRA bombers.
627 00:34:48,140 00:34:50,300 For a time, we could see the soldiers coming in, For a time, we could see the soldiers coming in,
628 00:34:50,300 00:34:54,220 along the road there, in the jeeps. along the road there, in the jeeps.
629 00:34:54,220 00:34:57,460 We could see their red berets and that, you know? And... We could see their red berets and that, you know? And...
630 00:34:59,460 00:35:02,700 I heard the ground being struck. I heard the ground being struck.
631 00:35:02,700 00:35:06,020 And then I felt my arm, like a stone hitting it. And then I felt my arm, like a stone hitting it.
632 00:35:06,020 00:35:09,020 I thought it was something, a stone maybe, or whatever. I thought it was something, a stone maybe, or whatever.
633 00:35:09,020 00:35:11,500 And it was bleeding. And it was bleeding.
634 00:35:11,500 00:35:13,180 And then, there was more. And then, there was more.
635 00:35:14,140 00:35:16,740 So... That's why I turned, So... That's why I turned,
636 00:35:16,740 00:35:19,900 and Bill was standing over there, and Bill was standing over there,
637 00:35:19,900 00:35:21,700 the car was just parked up there the car was just parked up there
638 00:35:21,700 00:35:24,900 and he was standing to the right, we'll say. and he was standing to the right, we'll say.
639 00:35:24,900 00:35:29,340 And I shouted at him then to get down. And I shouted at him then to get down.
640 00:35:29,340 00:35:34,300 And then you could hear more guns and branches cracking and that. And then you could hear more guns and branches cracking and that.
641 00:35:34,300 00:35:36,140 So, I ran...ran like hell... So, I ran...ran like hell...
642 00:35:36,140 00:35:38,380 HE CLEARS HIS THROAT HE CLEARS HIS THROAT
643 00:35:38,380 00:35:41,020 ..and zigzagged up that lane. ..and zigzagged up that lane.
644 00:35:42,860 00:35:44,220 I've seen it in war films. I've seen it in war films.
645 00:35:44,220 00:35:47,220 I always thought it was a load of baloney, really, I always thought it was a load of baloney, really,
646 00:35:47,220 00:35:49,460 because you couldn't escape death, because you couldn't escape death,
647 00:35:49,460 00:35:51,500 but I did. but I did.
648 00:35:55,780 00:35:58,780 Then it all stopped. Dead quiet. Then it all stopped. Dead quiet.
649 00:36:03,980 00:36:05,980 So, after about a minute or two, So, after about a minute or two,
650 00:36:05,980 00:36:09,300 I thought my cousin should be coming up now. I thought my cousin should be coming up now.
651 00:36:09,300 00:36:11,220 I just thought he'd get up I just thought he'd get up
652 00:36:11,220 00:36:13,020 and come back up. and come back up.
653 00:36:13,020 00:36:17,820 I looked around the corner and, um, I looked around the corner and, um,
654 00:36:17,820 00:36:20,860 well, I've seen him lying on his back... well, I've seen him lying on his back...
655 00:36:22,060 00:36:24,620 ..and, er... ..and, er...
656 00:36:24,620 00:36:30,060 blood, a lot of blood. And, erm... blood, a lot of blood. And, erm...
657 00:36:31,700 00:36:33,940 ..I, er... ..I, er...
658 00:36:33,940 00:36:35,780 I ran down to the car. I ran down to the car.
659 00:36:38,580 00:36:40,780 I knew when I'd seen him, I knew when I'd seen him,
660 00:36:40,780 00:36:44,500 there's nothing anyone can do for him. there's nothing anyone can do for him.
661 00:36:46,500 00:36:48,180 The lad that pulled the trigger, The lad that pulled the trigger,
662 00:36:48,180 00:36:52,860 I'm sure he was shell-shocked. It didn't enter his head, I'm sure he was shell-shocked. It didn't enter his head,
663 00:36:52,860 00:36:56,540 for one instant, you know, not to pull that trigger. for one instant, you know, not to pull that trigger.
664 00:36:56,540 00:37:00,140 And, er, I think we would all have done the exact same thing And, er, I think we would all have done the exact same thing
665 00:37:00,140 00:37:02,140 in that situation. in that situation.
666 00:37:03,700 00:37:06,140 It was left to Barry to report It was left to Barry to report
667 00:37:06,140 00:37:09,180 the tragic news to Bill's father. the tragic news to Bill's father.
668 00:37:09,180 00:37:12,100 Ironically, Bill Senior worked in Buckingham Palace, Ironically, Bill Senior worked in Buckingham Palace,
669 00:37:12,100 00:37:15,820 as one of the Queen's coachmen. as one of the Queen's coachmen.
670 00:37:15,820 00:37:17,820 I said, "I've terrible news, Uncle." I said, "I've terrible news, Uncle."
671 00:37:17,820 00:37:20,500 I said, "Bill's dead." I said, "Bill's dead."
672 00:37:20,500 00:37:23,500 "Oh, dead? What happened? How is he dead?" "Oh, dead? What happened? How is he dead?"
673 00:37:23,500 00:37:25,820 And I said, "He got shot." And I said, "He got shot."
674 00:37:25,820 00:37:28,020 He said, "How did he get shot?" He said, "How did he get shot?"
675 00:37:29,660 00:37:32,420 Terrible. Terrible, just... Terrible. Terrible, just...
676 00:37:34,300 00:37:37,940 One of the worst moments in my life, actually. One of the worst moments in my life, actually.
677 00:37:37,940 00:37:41,260 Something I wouldn't want anyone to have to do. Something I wouldn't want anyone to have to do.
678 00:37:44,900 00:37:46,860 The Army later acknowledged The Army later acknowledged
679 00:37:46,860 00:37:51,580 that Bill Hudson was an innocent civilian, mistakenly killed. that Bill Hudson was an innocent civilian, mistakenly killed.
680 00:37:57,020 00:37:59,580 This multiple killing, the worst the security forces This multiple killing, the worst the security forces
681 00:37:59,580 00:38:01,740 have ever suffered in Northern Ireland, have ever suffered in Northern Ireland,
682 00:38:01,740 00:38:04,180 coming as it does after the Mountbatten tragedy, coming as it does after the Mountbatten tragedy,
683 00:38:04,180 00:38:07,980 must serve to only further heighten tensions in Northern Ireland. must serve to only further heighten tensions in Northern Ireland.
684 00:38:10,060 00:38:13,300 Word quickly spread of how meticulously planned Word quickly spread of how meticulously planned
685 00:38:13,300 00:38:17,420 the IRA operation at Warrenpoint had been. the IRA operation at Warrenpoint had been.
686 00:38:17,420 00:38:21,340 Anthony McIntyre was an IRA volunteer, locked up in Anthony McIntyre was an IRA volunteer, locked up in
687 00:38:21,340 00:38:23,780 the Maze Prison at the time. the Maze Prison at the time.
688 00:38:23,780 00:38:25,260 I thought it was impressive. I thought it was impressive.
689 00:38:25,260 00:38:27,300 I thought it was ingenious. I thought it was ingenious.
690 00:38:27,300 00:38:30,700 Because not only did they detonate the first device, Because not only did they detonate the first device,
691 00:38:30,700 00:38:34,020 they had to wait until the British Army back-up arrived they had to wait until the British Army back-up arrived
692 00:38:34,020 00:38:36,060 and position themselves behind the gateposts, and position themselves behind the gateposts,
693 00:38:36,060 00:38:37,660 and then detonate the second one. and then detonate the second one.
694 00:38:37,660 00:38:39,660 So, it took nerves of steel for the volunteers So, it took nerves of steel for the volunteers
695 00:38:39,660 00:38:41,620 to sit there and do that. to sit there and do that.
696 00:38:43,500 00:38:46,420 It was absolutely militarily fantastic, brilliant, It was absolutely militarily fantastic, brilliant,
697 00:38:46,420 00:38:48,620 I don't want to say the word fantastic but, I don't want to say the word fantastic but,
698 00:38:48,620 00:38:51,460 you know... But the big bonus that they had you know... But the big bonus that they had
699 00:38:51,460 00:38:53,500 that they didn't normally have was... that they didn't normally have was...
700 00:38:53,500 00:38:56,860 they were in a different country. They'd no need to run away. they were in a different country. They'd no need to run away.
701 00:38:56,860 00:38:58,980 Yeah. They were in the South. They were in the South. Yeah. They were in the South. They were in the South.
702 00:38:58,980 00:39:01,540 And that's why they could take their time. And that's why they could take their time.
703 00:39:02,660 00:39:05,140 You take advantage when you can, and they did. You take advantage when you can, and they did.
704 00:39:14,020 00:39:16,460 Will you please stand still? Will you please stand still?
705 00:39:16,460 00:39:18,660 And I will move. And I will move.
706 00:39:18,660 00:39:20,620 The attacks on Lord Mountbatten The attacks on Lord Mountbatten
707 00:39:20,620 00:39:24,780 and the British soldiers made a deep impression on Mrs Thatcher, and the British soldiers made a deep impression on Mrs Thatcher,
708 00:39:24,780 00:39:27,060 who had been Prime Minister for only four months. who had been Prime Minister for only four months.
709 00:39:28,580 00:39:31,660 Within 36 hours, she landed in Northern Ireland Within 36 hours, she landed in Northern Ireland
710 00:39:31,660 00:39:33,660 on an unscheduled visit, on an unscheduled visit,
711 00:39:33,660 00:39:35,740 to investigate what had happened to investigate what had happened
712 00:39:35,740 00:39:37,980 and to offer her reassurance. and to offer her reassurance.
713 00:39:37,980 00:39:39,820 When she went to Northern Ireland, When she went to Northern Ireland,
714 00:39:39,820 00:39:41,820 I remember the walkabout I remember the walkabout
715 00:39:41,820 00:39:44,900 in the shopping mall, in the shopping mall,
716 00:39:44,900 00:39:48,620 erm, which I thought was an extremely brave thing to do, erm, which I thought was an extremely brave thing to do,
717 00:39:48,620 00:39:51,700 not because there was much risk of being shot in that environment, not because there was much risk of being shot in that environment,
718 00:39:51,700 00:39:54,460 but simply because there would be a lot of people but simply because there would be a lot of people
719 00:39:54,460 00:39:56,860 in the shopping mall who didn't like her very much. in the shopping mall who didn't like her very much.
720 00:40:04,380 00:40:07,060 She was a very feminine person. She was a very feminine person.
721 00:40:07,060 00:40:10,580 And it was like for a while, you just fell? Yes, basically... And it was like for a while, you just fell? Yes, basically...
722 00:40:10,580 00:40:12,700 She was profoundly moved. She was profoundly moved.
723 00:40:12,700 00:40:14,500 I broke my leg... I broke my leg...
724 00:40:14,500 00:40:18,820 She didn't blub, but tears came to her eyes. She didn't blub, but tears came to her eyes.
725 00:40:18,820 00:40:21,140 It could have been a lot worse... It could have been a lot worse...
726 00:40:21,140 00:40:23,060 She only very rarely wept, She only very rarely wept,
727 00:40:23,060 00:40:26,140 erm, to my knowledge, anyway. erm, to my knowledge, anyway.
728 00:40:26,140 00:40:30,660 And when she did, there was good reason for it. And when she did, there was good reason for it.
729 00:40:32,900 00:40:35,260 She's not everybody's cup of tea, I know that, She's not everybody's cup of tea, I know that,
730 00:40:35,260 00:40:40,340 but she was able to relate, and they to her, to the soldiers. but she was able to relate, and they to her, to the soldiers.
731 00:40:42,180 00:40:46,420 Boadicea. A very doughty lady. Boadicea. A very doughty lady.
732 00:40:51,500 00:40:53,340 I think in terms of significance I think in terms of significance
733 00:40:53,340 00:40:55,380 for Margaret Thatcher, for Margaret Thatcher,
734 00:40:55,380 00:40:59,660 knowing as we do what we do about her personality, knowing as we do what we do about her personality,
735 00:40:59,660 00:41:04,220 I'm sure that it actually made her even more determined to resist. I'm sure that it actually made her even more determined to resist.
736 00:41:09,780 00:41:11,420 Mrs Thatcher's flying visit Mrs Thatcher's flying visit
737 00:41:11,420 00:41:13,300 did not extend to the scene of did not extend to the scene of
738 00:41:13,300 00:41:16,100 the Mountbatten bombing, over the border, the Mountbatten bombing, over the border,
739 00:41:16,100 00:41:18,940 in the Republic of Ireland. in the Republic of Ireland.
740 00:41:18,940 00:41:23,220 Here, too, the events of that day had made a huge impact. Here, too, the events of that day had made a huge impact.
741 00:41:23,220 00:41:25,380 While it was recognised that the IRA While it was recognised that the IRA
742 00:41:25,380 00:41:29,700 had pulled off two audacious military operations, had pulled off two audacious military operations,
743 00:41:29,700 00:41:33,700 in PR terms, opinion was divided. in PR terms, opinion was divided.
744 00:41:35,380 00:41:38,300 Almost everybody spoke with regret Almost everybody spoke with regret
745 00:41:38,300 00:41:40,020 and shame about what had happened and shame about what had happened
746 00:41:40,020 00:41:42,300 to Mountbatten. And that sense, to Mountbatten. And that sense,
747 00:41:42,300 00:41:45,700 this is our territory, how dare they do this on our territory?! this is our territory, how dare they do this on our territory?!
748 00:41:47,980 00:41:49,820 But there were a number of people, But there were a number of people,
749 00:41:49,820 00:41:52,860 I won't say a majority, but there were a number of people I won't say a majority, but there were a number of people
750 00:41:52,860 00:41:55,460 who said what happened to Mountbatten was wrong but, who said what happened to Mountbatten was wrong but,
751 00:41:55,460 00:41:59,180 as far as the British soldiers are concerned, listen, as far as the British soldiers are concerned, listen,
752 00:41:59,180 00:42:02,460 those that live by the sword die by the sword. those that live by the sword die by the sword.
753 00:42:05,780 00:42:10,060 This feeling was reinforced by the fact that 16 of the 18 This feeling was reinforced by the fact that 16 of the 18
754 00:42:10,060 00:42:15,220 British soldiers killed at Warrenpoint were from the Paratroop Regiment. British soldiers killed at Warrenpoint were from the Paratroop Regiment.
755 00:42:15,220 00:42:19,540 The Paras were deeply unpopular on both sides of the Irish border The Paras were deeply unpopular on both sides of the Irish border
756 00:42:19,540 00:42:22,580 thanks to an infamous incident that had taken place thanks to an infamous incident that had taken place
757 00:42:22,580 00:42:24,940 seven years earlier. seven years earlier.
758 00:42:24,940 00:42:26,900 THEY SHOUT THEY SHOUT
759 00:42:28,420 00:42:33,820 There is no other single incident in Northern Ireland that unites There is no other single incident in Northern Ireland that unites
760 00:42:33,820 00:42:38,060 nationalists of all colour, north and south, like Bloody Sunday does. nationalists of all colour, north and south, like Bloody Sunday does.
761 00:42:38,060 00:42:40,220 GUNSHOT GUNSHOT
762 00:42:40,220 00:42:44,860 Because, to us, it was the deliberate killing Because, to us, it was the deliberate killing
763 00:42:44,860 00:42:48,100 of peaceful protesters on a march in Derry. of peaceful protesters on a march in Derry.
764 00:42:48,100 00:42:49,940 SCREAMS SCREAMS
765 00:42:51,380 00:42:53,860 13 civil rights protesters were killed 13 civil rights protesters were killed
766 00:42:53,860 00:42:56,580 in what came to be known as Bloody Sunday. in what came to be known as Bloody Sunday.
767 00:42:56,580 00:42:58,780 GUNSHOT GUNSHOT
768 00:42:58,780 00:43:05,220 Here was the British Army turning its guns Here was the British Army turning its guns
769 00:43:05,220 00:43:08,420 on the people it called its own citizens. on the people it called its own citizens.
770 00:43:13,020 00:43:15,500 And the soldiers responsible for Bloody Sunday... And the soldiers responsible for Bloody Sunday...
771 00:43:15,500 00:43:18,060 Were the Paratroopers. Were the Paratroopers.
772 00:43:20,700 00:43:26,940 So, there was a particular feeling of general dislike So, there was a particular feeling of general dislike
773 00:43:26,940 00:43:29,020 towards the Paratroopers. towards the Paratroopers.
774 00:43:30,380 00:43:35,140 This dislike was felt particularly strongly by the IRA volunteers This dislike was felt particularly strongly by the IRA volunteers
775 00:43:35,140 00:43:38,100 locked up in the Maze Prison at the time. locked up in the Maze Prison at the time.
776 00:43:39,300 00:43:42,380 And how do you characterise the reaction of you and your fellow And how do you characterise the reaction of you and your fellow
777 00:43:42,380 00:43:45,380 prisoners to hearing about the Warrenpoint news? prisoners to hearing about the Warrenpoint news?
778 00:43:45,380 00:43:48,420 Exuberance, exhilaration. Exuberance, exhilaration.
779 00:43:48,420 00:43:50,900 All our Christmases had come at once and come early. All our Christmases had come at once and come early.
780 00:43:52,300 00:43:54,380 The IRA couldn't believe their luck. The IRA couldn't believe their luck.
781 00:43:54,380 00:43:57,900 For the nationalist population, we were monsters. For the nationalist population, we were monsters.
782 00:44:00,420 00:44:04,860 We were quite ruthless, quite callous, quite indifferent We were quite ruthless, quite callous, quite indifferent
783 00:44:04,860 00:44:10,540 to the suffering of the relatives and found the Parachute Regiment, to the suffering of the relatives and found the Parachute Regiment,
784 00:44:10,540 00:44:12,900 absolutely anathema. absolutely anathema.
785 00:44:12,900 00:44:16,660 They were celebrating - of course they were. You know... They were celebrating - of course they were. You know...
786 00:44:18,300 00:44:21,180 They had a good day. They had a good day.
787 00:44:21,180 00:44:25,220 And doubly good in a sense with the memory for them, the memory of... And doubly good in a sense with the memory for them, the memory of...
788 00:44:25,220 00:44:27,220 Bloody Sunday, yeah. Of course, yeah. Bloody Sunday, yeah. Of course, yeah.
789 00:44:27,220 00:44:30,780 That's where the old saying came out, you know, That's where the old saying came out, you know,
790 00:44:30,780 00:44:35,140 13 dead, not forgotten, we got 18 and Mountbatten. 13 dead, not forgotten, we got 18 and Mountbatten.
791 00:44:36,340 00:44:38,860 There's support for you. Very good. There's support for you. Very good.
792 00:44:45,940 00:44:48,940 THE LAST POST THE LAST POST
793 00:45:00,980 00:45:03,180 That funeral was extraordinary. That funeral was extraordinary.
794 00:45:03,180 00:45:06,460 And I think my grandfather has masterminded every moment of it, And I think my grandfather has masterminded every moment of it,
795 00:45:06,460 00:45:10,060 understandably, and it ran to perfection. understandably, and it ran to perfection.
796 00:45:11,540 00:45:15,580 The whole family of Europe seems to be here. The whole family of Europe seems to be here.
797 00:45:15,580 00:45:19,500 Lord Mountbatten's State funeral, the largest of its kind Lord Mountbatten's State funeral, the largest of its kind
798 00:45:19,500 00:45:23,420 since Winston Churchill's, provided a vivid reminder since Winston Churchill's, provided a vivid reminder
799 00:45:23,420 00:45:27,780 of the personal nature of the blow dealt to the Royal family. of the personal nature of the blow dealt to the Royal family.
800 00:45:32,660 00:45:39,140 Two granddaughters and the girl that bears the name of India and... Two granddaughters and the girl that bears the name of India and...
801 00:45:39,140 00:45:42,860 We know my grandfather's murder was a complete shock We know my grandfather's murder was a complete shock
802 00:45:42,860 00:45:48,100 and very devastating to the Prince of Wales because he fulfilled a role, and very devastating to the Prince of Wales because he fulfilled a role,
803 00:45:48,100 00:45:50,100 and that role was then taken away. and that role was then taken away.
804 00:45:50,100 00:45:53,260 So I think he probably felt that more than most, So I think he probably felt that more than most,
805 00:45:53,260 00:45:57,860 the loss, my grandfather's murder, and in such a brutal way. the loss, my grandfather's murder, and in such a brutal way.
806 00:45:59,620 00:46:02,460 The murder horrified him and, The murder horrified him and,
807 00:46:02,460 00:46:05,260 in a way, marked him for life. in a way, marked him for life.
808 00:46:05,260 00:46:10,020 It left a sort of sense of uncertainty, if Mountbatten, It left a sort of sense of uncertainty, if Mountbatten,
809 00:46:10,020 00:46:16,020 the invincible, the almighty, could be snuffed out like that, the invincible, the almighty, could be snuffed out like that,
810 00:46:16,020 00:46:18,500 then what was left certain in life? then what was left certain in life?
811 00:46:20,780 00:46:24,660 Within a week of the funeral, 11-year-old India found herself Within a week of the funeral, 11-year-old India found herself
812 00:46:24,660 00:46:27,580 sent off to Gordonstoun, the boarding school sent off to Gordonstoun, the boarding school
813 00:46:27,580 00:46:29,660 in the north of Scotland. in the north of Scotland.
814 00:46:29,660 00:46:33,860 Here was she was given a painful reminder of the very public nature Here was she was given a painful reminder of the very public nature
815 00:46:33,860 00:46:36,420 of her grandfather's death. of her grandfather's death.
816 00:46:36,420 00:46:40,700 I remember feeling desperately lonely going off to boarding school I remember feeling desperately lonely going off to boarding school
817 00:46:40,700 00:46:43,140 without my mother, and the first night someone, without my mother, and the first night someone,
818 00:46:43,140 00:46:46,060 after lights out, saying a joke. after lights out, saying a joke.
819 00:46:47,220 00:46:50,300 And maybe we can't even put this in because it's too horrific, And maybe we can't even put this in because it's too horrific,
820 00:46:50,300 00:46:55,340 but she said, "How did they know Lord Mountbatten had dandruff?" but she said, "How did they know Lord Mountbatten had dandruff?"
821 00:46:55,340 00:46:57,620 And no-one in the dorm at lights out knew the answer. And no-one in the dorm at lights out knew the answer.
822 00:46:57,620 00:46:59,180 And the answer was, of course, And the answer was, of course,
823 00:46:59,180 00:47:03,020 "Because they found his head and shoulders on the beach." "Because they found his head and shoulders on the beach."
824 00:47:03,020 00:47:04,860 Um... Um...
825 00:47:04,860 00:47:07,620 It was a pretty staggering moment. It was a pretty staggering moment.
826 00:47:11,780 00:47:15,300 Later that autumn, two IRA men were put on trial Later that autumn, two IRA men were put on trial
827 00:47:15,300 00:47:18,260 for the murder of Lord Mountbatten. for the murder of Lord Mountbatten.
828 00:47:18,260 00:47:20,900 One, Thomas McMahon, was convicted. One, Thomas McMahon, was convicted.
829 00:47:22,580 00:47:26,220 Thomas McMahon, did you know him by reputation? Thomas McMahon, did you know him by reputation?
830 00:47:26,220 00:47:29,260 I knew him both by reputation and personally and he was a very, I knew him both by reputation and personally and he was a very,
831 00:47:29,260 00:47:31,900 very fine IRA volunteer. very fine IRA volunteer.
832 00:47:31,900 00:47:33,900 Very fine indeed. Very fine indeed.
833 00:47:34,940 00:47:40,700 He would be the most outstanding figure to come out of South Armagh. He would be the most outstanding figure to come out of South Armagh.
834 00:47:40,700 00:47:44,460 Thomas McMahon was sentenced to life in prison, Thomas McMahon was sentenced to life in prison,
835 00:47:44,460 00:47:48,700 but no-one higher up in the IRA leadership chain was ever held but no-one higher up in the IRA leadership chain was ever held
836 00:47:48,700 00:47:51,380 to account for the bomb. to account for the bomb.
837 00:47:53,420 00:47:57,340 Somebody knew children were going on that boat. Somebody knew children were going on that boat.
838 00:47:57,340 00:48:00,420 Not necessarily the guys who put the bomb on or the guys that made Not necessarily the guys who put the bomb on or the guys that made
839 00:48:00,420 00:48:03,940 the bomb, but the people who planned it certainly knew the bomb, but the people who planned it certainly knew
840 00:48:03,940 00:48:05,980 about the children. about the children.
841 00:48:17,380 00:48:21,460 Although Anthony McIntyre has since fallen out with the IRA, Although Anthony McIntyre has since fallen out with the IRA,
842 00:48:21,460 00:48:25,620 back in 1979, he was still very much an insider. back in 1979, he was still very much an insider.
843 00:48:25,620 00:48:28,300 I think given the political sensitivity around Mountbatten I think given the political sensitivity around Mountbatten
844 00:48:28,300 00:48:31,940 and the fallout that the IRA leadership, the political thinking and the fallout that the IRA leadership, the political thinking
845 00:48:31,940 00:48:35,460 people in the IRA leadership would have anticipated, people in the IRA leadership would have anticipated,
846 00:48:35,460 00:48:38,620 I would have imagined there was a decision taken I would have imagined there was a decision taken
847 00:48:38,620 00:48:40,500 at the most senior levels. at the most senior levels.
848 00:48:42,380 00:48:46,620 Kieran Conway, who temporarily left the IRA in 1976, Kieran Conway, who temporarily left the IRA in 1976,
849 00:48:46,620 00:48:49,260 is in no doubt as to who was in charge at the time is in no doubt as to who was in charge at the time
850 00:48:49,260 00:48:51,940 of Mountbatten's assassination. of Mountbatten's assassination.
851 00:48:51,940 00:48:55,580 I have absolutely no difficulty in saying in '81 when I rejoined, I have absolutely no difficulty in saying in '81 when I rejoined,
852 00:48:55,580 00:48:58,660 and I wouldn't have said that until Martin died, and I wouldn't have said that until Martin died,
853 00:48:58,660 00:49:01,460 that McGuinness was Chief of Staff. that McGuinness was Chief of Staff.
854 00:49:01,460 00:49:05,700 And your clear understanding is that he had been since '78? Yeah. And your clear understanding is that he had been since '78? Yeah.
855 00:49:07,180 00:49:11,180 Ultimately, as Chief of Staff, it would be McGuinness' Ultimately, as Chief of Staff, it would be McGuinness'
856 00:49:11,180 00:49:14,660 responsibility, that operation? Yeah, that's right, yeah. responsibility, that operation? Yeah, that's right, yeah.
857 00:49:14,660 00:49:17,700 That's the way it works. I mean, if you are the boss, you are the boss. That's the way it works. I mean, if you are the boss, you are the boss.
858 00:49:17,700 00:49:20,340 You take responsibility for whatever goes on. You take responsibility for whatever goes on.
859 00:49:25,180 00:49:28,060 Meanwhile, no-one was ever put on trial for the bombs Meanwhile, no-one was ever put on trial for the bombs
860 00:49:28,060 00:49:33,420 at Warrenpoint, let alone convicted, despite the arrest on the day itself at Warrenpoint, let alone convicted, despite the arrest on the day itself
861 00:49:33,420 00:49:37,220 of two IRA suspects near the scene of the carnage. of two IRA suspects near the scene of the carnage.
862 00:49:40,420 00:49:43,300 Well, of course it's frustrating. Well, of course it's frustrating.
863 00:49:43,300 00:49:45,740 The event is one of murder. The event is one of murder.
864 00:49:45,740 00:49:47,980 Mass murder. Mass murder.
865 00:49:47,980 00:49:51,460 And it is a source of great regret And it is a source of great regret
866 00:49:51,460 00:49:54,300 that nobody was brought to account for it. that nobody was brought to account for it.
867 00:50:01,420 00:50:04,540 In these past few days, the irresistible force, In these past few days, the irresistible force,
868 00:50:04,540 00:50:08,900 the political will, has met the immovable object, the political will, has met the immovable object,
869 00:50:08,900 00:50:13,020 the legacy of the past, and it has actually moved it. the legacy of the past, and it has actually moved it.
870 00:50:13,020 00:50:15,580 It took another 20 years after the Mountbatten It took another 20 years after the Mountbatten
871 00:50:15,580 00:50:19,660 and Warrenpoint killings, but peace was finally established and Warrenpoint killings, but peace was finally established
872 00:50:19,660 00:50:23,140 in Northern Ireland by the British and Irish governments in Northern Ireland by the British and Irish governments
873 00:50:23,140 00:50:26,860 at the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. at the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
874 00:50:26,860 00:50:29,820 This agreement is good for the people of Ireland, This agreement is good for the people of Ireland,
875 00:50:29,820 00:50:32,660 north and south. APPLAUSE north and south. APPLAUSE
876 00:50:32,660 00:50:37,340 As part of the peace process, the IRA's prisoners were released, As part of the peace process, the IRA's prisoners were released,
877 00:50:37,340 00:50:40,780 including Thomas McMahon, the sole IRA member including Thomas McMahon, the sole IRA member
878 00:50:40,780 00:50:42,940 convicted of the killings. convicted of the killings.
879 00:50:50,740 00:50:55,740 The idea of reconciliation has lain at the heart of the peace process. The idea of reconciliation has lain at the heart of the peace process.
880 00:50:58,940 00:51:02,980 And there we get a first glimpse of the Queen. And there we get a first glimpse of the Queen.
881 00:51:02,980 00:51:08,020 In 2012, the Queen came face-to-face with the man said to have been In 2012, the Queen came face-to-face with the man said to have been
882 00:51:08,020 00:51:13,500 ultimately responsible for the assassination of her second cousin. ultimately responsible for the assassination of her second cousin.
883 00:51:13,500 00:51:16,740 You really did have to just pinch yourself and think, You really did have to just pinch yourself and think,
884 00:51:16,740 00:51:19,380 can this actually be happening? can this actually be happening?
885 00:51:19,380 00:51:21,660 That the head of state of the United Kingdom That the head of state of the United Kingdom
886 00:51:21,660 00:51:25,700 and the man who without doubt it was one of the leaders of the military, and the man who without doubt it was one of the leaders of the military,
887 00:51:25,700 00:51:28,420 the offensive side of the Republican movement, the offensive side of the Republican movement,
888 00:51:28,420 00:51:31,180 who may well have had a hand in planning Mullaghmore, who may well have had a hand in planning Mullaghmore,
889 00:51:31,180 00:51:33,180 or certainly signing off on it... or certainly signing off on it...
890 00:51:33,180 00:51:36,140 That they were standing together was remarkable. That they were standing together was remarkable.
891 00:51:37,620 00:51:41,980 The symbolic strength of that shaking of hands The symbolic strength of that shaking of hands
892 00:51:41,980 00:51:48,660 was enormous - one of the most powerful things that she could do. was enormous - one of the most powerful things that she could do.
893 00:51:48,660 00:51:51,460 And she did it even though personally And she did it even though personally
894 00:51:51,460 00:51:53,700 it may have cost her something. it may have cost her something.
895 00:51:53,700 00:51:56,380 But it was terribly important that that was done. But it was terribly important that that was done.
896 00:51:56,380 00:51:59,620 Only she could do it, and she did it. Only she could do it, and she did it.
897 00:51:59,620 00:52:02,340 She is the more admirable person in the transaction, She is the more admirable person in the transaction,
898 00:52:02,340 00:52:04,340 I think, you know? I think, you know?
899 00:52:04,340 00:52:07,980 I think it was more difficult for her than it was for him. I think it was more difficult for her than it was for him.
900 00:52:13,860 00:52:15,820 Like mother, like son. Like mother, like son.
901 00:52:17,140 00:52:19,500 Three years later, the Prince of Wales made his own Three years later, the Prince of Wales made his own
902 00:52:19,500 00:52:21,940 gesture of reconciliation. gesture of reconciliation.
903 00:52:21,940 00:52:27,180 The events of 1979 had come as a double blow to him. The events of 1979 had come as a double blow to him.
904 00:52:27,180 00:52:30,460 He was Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment He was Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment
905 00:52:30,460 00:52:34,780 which had lost 16 of the 18 soldiers killed that Warrenpoint. which had lost 16 of the 18 soldiers killed that Warrenpoint.
906 00:52:34,780 00:52:37,980 And at Mullaghmore, he had also lost to the mentor And at Mullaghmore, he had also lost to the mentor
907 00:52:37,980 00:52:40,420 who meant so much to him. who meant so much to him.
908 00:52:40,420 00:52:44,900 At the time, I could not imagine how we would come to terms At the time, I could not imagine how we would come to terms
909 00:52:44,900 00:52:48,580 with the anguish of such a deep loss, since, with the anguish of such a deep loss, since,
910 00:52:48,580 00:52:53,460 for me, Lord Mountbatten represented the grandfather I never had. for me, Lord Mountbatten represented the grandfather I never had.
911 00:52:59,340 00:53:03,780 The poet Yeats once wrote that I shall have some peace there, The poet Yeats once wrote that I shall have some peace there,
912 00:53:03,780 00:53:06,020 for peace comes dropping slow. for peace comes dropping slow.
913 00:53:08,660 00:53:15,460 As a grandfather now myself, I pray that his words can apply As a grandfather now myself, I pray that his words can apply
914 00:53:15,460 00:53:17,820 to all of those that have been so hurt to all of those that have been so hurt
915 00:53:17,820 00:53:20,740 and scarred by the Troubles of the past. and scarred by the Troubles of the past.
916 00:53:22,500 00:53:25,540 The problem with peace is you have to keep working at it. The problem with peace is you have to keep working at it.
917 00:53:25,540 00:53:27,980 It's not a passive thing. It's not a passive thing.
918 00:53:27,980 00:53:31,620 It is always going to be a continuing responsibility It is always going to be a continuing responsibility
919 00:53:31,620 00:53:35,900 on all of us in these islands to make sure that the conditions on all of us in these islands to make sure that the conditions
920 00:53:35,900 00:53:39,500 in Northern Ireland do not encourage the break-out again in Northern Ireland do not encourage the break-out again
921 00:53:39,500 00:53:41,540 of sectarian tensions. of sectarian tensions.
922 00:53:41,540 00:53:43,620 We do not want to go back to that. We do not want to go back to that.
923 00:53:43,620 00:53:46,380 So it is not a matter of peace coming, dropping slow - So it is not a matter of peace coming, dropping slow -
924 00:53:46,380 00:53:49,300 peace has to be worked at damned hard. peace has to be worked at damned hard.
925 00:53:50,740 00:53:54,100 Two years ago, Martin McGuinness, the man widely believed Two years ago, Martin McGuinness, the man widely believed
926 00:53:54,100 00:53:56,820 to have been the IRA Chief of Staff at the time to have been the IRA Chief of Staff at the time
927 00:53:56,820 00:53:59,340 of the bombings, died. of the bombings, died.
928 00:53:59,340 00:54:02,940 According to Buckingham Palace, the Queen sent a private letter According to Buckingham Palace, the Queen sent a private letter
929 00:54:02,940 00:54:04,940 of condolence to his widow. of condolence to his widow.
930 00:54:14,500 00:54:17,860 Today, for the most part, normal life has returned Today, for the most part, normal life has returned
931 00:54:17,860 00:54:20,180 on both sides of the Irish border. on both sides of the Irish border.
932 00:54:22,020 00:54:26,260 But the sense of shame in the village of Mullaghmore lives on, But the sense of shame in the village of Mullaghmore lives on,
933 00:54:26,260 00:54:30,820 especially among those who had had close ties to the Mountbattens. especially among those who had had close ties to the Mountbattens.
934 00:54:34,340 00:54:37,620 There was a terrible sense of shock in this village, There was a terrible sense of shock in this village,
935 00:54:37,620 00:54:40,100 and disbelief. and disbelief.
936 00:54:40,100 00:54:43,140 And there was a dark cloud over the area, And there was a dark cloud over the area,
937 00:54:43,140 00:54:45,540 over the village, for years afterwards. over the village, for years afterwards.
938 00:54:47,500 00:54:49,460 People didn't talk about it. People didn't talk about it.
939 00:54:49,460 00:54:52,780 They did in their own houses hushed talk about it, They did in their own houses hushed talk about it,
940 00:54:52,780 00:54:55,140 but not out in the open. but not out in the open.
941 00:54:55,140 00:54:58,340 People felt so bad about what happened, People felt so bad about what happened,
942 00:54:58,340 00:55:00,420 and embarrassed about it. and embarrassed about it.
943 00:55:02,420 00:55:06,900 As with the town, so with the individuals themselves. As with the town, so with the individuals themselves.
944 00:55:06,900 00:55:10,940 They too are still struggling to come to terms with the tragic They too are still struggling to come to terms with the tragic
945 00:55:10,940 00:55:13,380 events of 40 years ago. events of 40 years ago.
946 00:55:15,980 00:55:18,260 I never took another picture since. I never took another picture since.
947 00:55:18,260 00:55:20,300 That's 40 years ago. That's 40 years ago.
948 00:55:20,300 00:55:22,980 Why did you never take another photograph? Why did you never take another photograph?
949 00:55:22,980 00:55:25,460 I... I...
950 00:55:25,460 00:55:27,580 I just couldn't face it. I just couldn't face it.
951 00:55:27,580 00:55:29,620 I was literally shaken. I was literally shaken.
952 00:55:31,820 00:55:34,300 I watched the firemen and I thought, I watched the firemen and I thought,
953 00:55:34,300 00:55:36,900 "That's what I should have been doing." "That's what I should have been doing."
954 00:55:36,900 00:55:41,060 And the following week, I applied and I joined the Fire Service then. And the following week, I applied and I joined the Fire Service then.
955 00:55:42,620 00:55:46,540 Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.
956 00:55:48,340 00:55:52,420 I see that young boy's face over and over and it doesn't go away I see that young boy's face over and over and it doesn't go away
957 00:55:52,420 00:55:56,460 and it doesn't get any more blurred as it did from 1979 to today, and it doesn't get any more blurred as it did from 1979 to today,
958 00:55:56,460 00:55:59,100 because I can still see it. because I can still see it.
959 00:55:59,100 00:56:02,780 I'm OK with all that because I brought that kid home. I'm OK with all that because I brought that kid home.
960 00:56:11,860 00:56:14,460 That's 40 years ago now. That's 40 years ago now.
961 00:56:20,940 00:56:23,540 There hasn't been one day, I'm sure, that it hasn't There hasn't been one day, I'm sure, that it hasn't
962 00:56:23,540 00:56:26,100 crossed my mind sometime. crossed my mind sometime.
963 00:56:28,100 00:56:31,780 And that's a long time for something to stick in your mind. And that's a long time for something to stick in your mind.
964 00:56:34,820 00:56:37,500 Didn't feel lucky at the time, Didn't feel lucky at the time,
965 00:56:37,500 00:56:40,820 didn't feel lucky for ten years after it. didn't feel lucky for ten years after it.
966 00:56:44,380 00:56:46,500 I wanted to be with them. I wanted to be with them.
967 00:56:47,580 00:56:49,740 Why did I survive? Why did I survive?
968 00:56:52,100 00:56:57,500 It was like a day that would never end and then went on to weeks It was like a day that would never end and then went on to weeks
969 00:56:57,500 00:57:03,260 that would never end and years where grieving would never end. that would never end and years where grieving would never end.
970 00:57:03,260 00:57:05,700 And it hasn't. And it hasn't.
971 00:57:05,700 00:57:07,940 I will always grieve for Paul. I will always grieve for Paul.
972 00:57:09,180 00:57:12,900 I carry him in my heart everywhere I go. I carry him in my heart everywhere I go.
973 00:57:15,060 00:57:17,980 I asked my mother about doing this and she said, I asked my mother about doing this and she said,
974 00:57:17,980 00:57:21,940 "Yes, absolutely, it's important to keep talking." "Yes, absolutely, it's important to keep talking."
975 00:57:23,580 00:57:28,460 I think, in trauma and in death and in survival, I think, in trauma and in death and in survival,
976 00:57:28,460 00:57:35,100 there is so much that is unsaid, and there is unfortunately no path, there is so much that is unsaid, and there is unfortunately no path,
977 00:57:35,100 00:57:38,820 there is no written text book of healing. there is no written text book of healing.
978 00:57:38,820 00:57:42,900 And so, in amongst my seven cousins, who I am, and remain, And so, in amongst my seven cousins, who I am, and remain,
979 00:57:42,900 00:57:48,300 close to, and my own siblings, everybody coped very differently. close to, and my own siblings, everybody coped very differently.
980 00:57:50,300 00:57:53,820 And some didn't cope well and of course we are seeing And some didn't cope well and of course we are seeing
981 00:57:53,820 00:57:58,060 the side-effects of that even to this day, the side-effects of that even to this day,
982 00:57:58,060 00:58:00,980 and the damage that was done and the damage that was done
983 00:58:00,980 00:58:05,300 was so much deeper than any of us could ever have imagined, was so much deeper than any of us could ever have imagined,
984 00:58:05,300 00:58:09,500 and adult lives are still being horrifically disrupted. and adult lives are still being horrifically disrupted.
985 00:58:13,180 00:58:18,620 I certainly try not to hold resentment in any way, I certainly try not to hold resentment in any way,
986 00:58:18,620 00:58:20,660 and that's hard. and that's hard.
987 00:58:22,380 00:58:25,580 But forgiveness, I think, is important. But forgiveness, I think, is important.
988 00:58:25,580 00:58:27,580 One has to move on. One has to move on.