Subseriescontains files relating to the case of the Birmingham Six. Includes correspondence, press cuttings, reports, copy court papers, audio visual recordings, etc.

Background to the case of the Birmingham Six

On 21 November, 1974, an IRA bombing campaign in the West Midlands culminated in explosions at two public houses in the centre of Birmingham, 'The Tavern in the Town' and 'The Mulberry Bush'. Twenty-one people died and at least 160 were injured. A few hours later five Irishmen, travelling on a train that had left Birmingham shortly before the explosions, were arrested at the Lancashire port of Heysham, where they had been about to board a ferry for Northern Ireland. A sixth was later arrested in Birmingham. Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Richard McIlkenny, Billy Power and Johnny Walker were later convicted of planting the bombs and given life sentences. The case against them was based mainly upon confessions signed by Callaghan, McIlkenny, Power and Walker and a forensic test (the 'Greiss Test') carried out by a Home Office scientist, Dr Frank Skuse, which had allegedly found traces of nitro-glycerine on the hands of two of the six. Insisting upon their innocence the six men appealed against conviction and their appeal was rejected in 1976. They then attempted to sue the West Midlands Police for injuries inflicted upon them in police custody following their arrest. This action was thrown out by Lord Denning in 1981. In 1987, following new scientific evidence unearthed by World in Action, the Home Secretary referred the case back to the Court of Appeal which again upheld the convictions. In March,1991, faced with compelling new evidence, including signs that the police notebooks had been extensively re-written, the Appeal Court finally quashed the convictions. Then men were freed and compensated for the 17 years they had spent in prison. During the course of his investigation, Chris Mullin traced and interviewed each of the men he believes to be responsible for the bombings. Two gave detailed accounts of their role, one (heavily disguised) was the subject of the third World in Action programme on this case. Chris Mullin has consistently refused to disclose the names of the men he spoke to, on the basis of journalistic integrity and that they are already known to the police. In addition to four documentaries (in 1985, 1986, 1990 and 1991) Granada Television produced a drama documentary entitled 'Who Bombed Birmingham?' starring John Hurt (as Mullin) and Martin Shaw. Chris Mullin's book, 'Error of Judgement' was published first in 1986 and revised editions were published in 1990 and 1997. Billy Power's daughter, Breda Power, was awarded the Martin Ennals (civil liberties) award in 1991 (see DCL/1046/27). Richard McIlkenny died, in Dublin, on 21 May 2006.

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