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Gerry Conlon dies: Guildford Four member who never gave up his fight for justice Guildford Four's Gerry Conlon dies: Man wrongly jailed for 15 years for pub bombing dies aged 60 in Belfast
(about 5 hours later)
Gerry Conlon, who spent 15 years in prison after being wrongly convicted for the IRA Guildford pub bombings, has died aged 60.Gerry Conlon, who spent 15 years in prison after being wrongly convicted for the IRA Guildford pub bombings, has died aged 60.
He and other members of the Guildford Four served part of their life sentences for that attack that killed five people and injured 65 more before they were cleared in 1989.He and other members of the Guildford Four served part of their life sentences for that attack that killed five people and injured 65 more before they were cleared in 1989.
Doubts were raised about the police evidence against Mr Conlon and his co-defendants Paul Hill, Carole Richardson and Paddy Armstrong and an investigation into Surrey Police’s handling of the care found serious failings.Doubts were raised about the police evidence against Mr Conlon and his co-defendants Paul Hill, Carole Richardson and Paddy Armstrong and an investigation into Surrey Police’s handling of the care found serious failings.
It was one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history but an inquiry in 2009 found that an establishment cover-up was not to blame.It was one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history but an inquiry in 2009 found that an establishment cover-up was not to blame.
Emerging from the Court of Appeal a free man in 1989, Mr Conlon said: “I have been in prison for something I did not do. I am totally innocent.”Emerging from the Court of Appeal a free man in 1989, Mr Conlon said: “I have been in prison for something I did not do. I am totally innocent.”
In 1991, sentences for the Maguire Seven, who were arrested because of a family connection to Mr Conlon, were also overturned.In 1991, sentences for the Maguire Seven, who were arrested because of a family connection to Mr Conlon, were also overturned.
Tony Blair, then the Prime Minister, wrote the 11 people wrongly imprisoned letters of apology in 2005.Tony Blair, then the Prime Minister, wrote the 11 people wrongly imprisoned letters of apology in 2005.
Mr Conlon’s autobiography, Proved Innocent, told of his battle for justice through the ordeal.Mr Conlon’s autobiography, Proved Innocent, told of his battle for justice through the ordeal.
Gerry Conlon outside the Old Bailey in London after being released in 1989 It was adapted for the Oscar-nominated film In the Name of the Father, which starred Daniel Day-Lewis and Emma Thompson.Gerry Conlon outside the Old Bailey in London after being released in 1989 It was adapted for the Oscar-nominated film In the Name of the Father, which starred Daniel Day-Lewis and Emma Thompson.
In later life, he joined a campaign to free the “Craigavon Two” - Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton – convicted of murdering a police officer in Northern Ireland.In later life, he joined a campaign to free the “Craigavon Two” - Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton – convicted of murdering a police officer in Northern Ireland.
A statement from his family said he died on Saturday morning.A statement from his family said he died on Saturday morning.
It continued: "He brought life, love, intelligence, wit and strength to our family through its darkest hours.It continued: "He brought life, love, intelligence, wit and strength to our family through its darkest hours.
"He helped us to survive what we were not meant to survive."He helped us to survive what we were not meant to survive.
"We recognise that what he achieved by fighting for justice for us had a far, far greater importance - it forced the world's closed eyes to be opened to injustice; it forced unimaginable wickedness to be acknowledged; we believe it changed the course of history."We recognise that what he achieved by fighting for justice for us had a far, far greater importance - it forced the world's closed eyes to be opened to injustice; it forced unimaginable wickedness to be acknowledged; we believe it changed the course of history.
"We thank him for his life and we thank all his many friends for their love.""We thank him for his life and we thank all his many friends for their love."
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA