Film names alleged UVF murderers

Film names alleged UVF murderers

18 October 2017

THE daughter of one of the Loughinisland massacre victims has described watching a documentary on the killings as a “very powerful experience”.

Speaking after travelling to the New York Film Festival to watch the premiere of ‘No Stone Unturned’, Emma Rogan said she felt “relief” that the film named the alleged killers.

Emma, now 32, was just a schoolgirl when her father Adrian (34), was killed along with five others after two UVF gunmen opened fire at The Heights bar in Loughinisland.

No-one has been brought to justice for one Northern Ireland’s worst terrorist atrocities, and last year a Police Ombudsman’s report found serious failings in the original RUC investigation and evidence of police collusion to protect informers.

Emma has been a prominent member of the Loughinisland Justice Group which has long been battling to uncover the truth behind the 1994 attack. Recently she was appointed a Sinn Fein MLA.

‘No Stone Unturned’, directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney and produced by Northern Ireland journalist Trevor Birney, sheds light on how the killer gang operated and on major failings in the murder investigation.

It was due to be screened at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival but had to withdraw for legal reasons.

“It was a very powerful experience,” said Emma. “It was really a bit overwhelming to be honest. It was strange to be in America, and think — actually that is my life on the screen.

“The story is something you would go and see in the cinema. But that was me up there.”

The documentary opens with a dramatisation of familiar local scenes. A country road at night, the Mourne mountains in the background, and a car following the signs to Loughinisland. To those familiar with what happens next it’s an ominous set-up, interspersed with scenes at a bar, and a small group of men enjoying a World Cup game on TV.

Despite the difficulty of watching what happens next, Emma said her main emotion on the night was one of relief.

“Because of all the legalities we weren’t even sure if it would be shown,” she said. “It’s a relief that it’s actually out there. All can watch it. My reaction was, ‘Phew, it’s out there’.

“It just means that people living quite locally can be aware that those involved are our neighbours. That when they’re in Brennans buying the Irish News or the Down Recorder, they could be standing beside them.”

Emma said she also felt vindicated that the issue of collusion was out in detail in the public domain.

“It took a long time to try to get people to accept it wasn’t just propaganda.” she said. “We were right all along.

“I don’t see those responsible being arrested. They have been protected this far along, I don’t see anybody knocking on their door and putting them in jail. I should hope, but I don’t see it happening.”

Emma said she had imagined a 45 minute style documentary but was impressed by the length of the film, which runs for almost two hours.

“What happened is unbelievably so complex and it goes into the real nitty gritty,” she said. “It is nearly linking the dots to dots.

“I went over to the screening with Moira Casement [niece of 87 year-old victim Barney Green] and mum went over to a screening in London. Moira and I were representing everyone. But we have all seen it in a private screening. It was very well received. It was emotional and a long time coming.

“It’s not an easy watch. It’s good, but of course it’s not good.”

Emma said she wanted all victims of the Troubles to have a means for dealing with the past.

“There has to be some way of dealing with the past,” she said. “There has to be some sort of mechanism. It is not easy. It is not nice. But it is the only way you can deal with it, even start to deal with it. For 45 years people have been waiting on inquests. People have to be given the opportunity, across the board.

“The truth should be told. What happened. For everybody.”