Death Notices

[Last Man]

Paddy Maloney, the Chieftains RIP

https://youtu.be/GVwfGOzm5FI

Class,Paddy's enthusiasm was infectious, everyone wanted to work with them. Remember seeing them in our local parish hall when I was about 10, the place was packed and I was completely  star struck. Derek Bell in that video, used to come in to the Mrs in the bank in Shaftsbury square. She remembers him fondly as a total gentleman. Both sadly missed.

[Rossfan]

R.I.P. Paddy.
One of the greats.
Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.

[seafoid]

There was a lovely tribute on BBC NI

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58881862.amp

Ceol na n-aingil go gcloisfidh sé

[Tatler Jack]

Poet Máire Mhac an tSaoi aged 99. Daughter of former Tánaiste  Seán McEntee and wife of the late Conor Cruise O'Brien.

[Rois]

Another poet, Brendan Kennelly, died this evening. He taught my sister at Trinity.

[Tatler Jack]

Saw that now. Great poet, raconteur and personality.

[Rossfan]

RIP Máire and Brendan.
Brendan was a regular and most interesting guest on Gaybo's LL show.

[seafoid]

Many of Gaybo's regulars have passed away. Time is relentless.

[J70]

Colin Powell.

84 years old.

Covid-related.

[Dubh driocht]

Dennis Hutchings, ex-soldier on trial for murder of Jon Pat Cunningham in Benburb

[Aaron Boone]

Dennis Hutchings, ex-soldier on trial for murder of Jon Pat Cunningham in Benburb

Very quick in the end.  Was in his suit in court last week. 

[Milltown Row2]

He was 88 and suffering with heart and other health problems, he wasn't going to live too long

[Snapchap]

For those in the 26 counties who may be unaware, Dennis was a British Soldier who shot an innocent, mentally disabled man in the back in a field in Benburb, County Tyrone in 1974. He was finally being tried in court for it over the past week.

At the time, Hutchings and the other soldier from the patrol  who fired shots at John Francis were "interviewed" by the RUC under caution. The fact that they were interviewed under caution meant that they were obviously under suspicion of having carried out a criminal offence causing the death. Despite this, the two "interviews" didn't take place until three days after John Pat's murder. Both soldiers refused to answer any questions and each interview was terminated in under 5 minutes and a within weeks, the decision was made not to prosecute. From 1974 right up until the mid 2010's,  Hutchings was never again asked to give an account of the night. Then, when the HET did contact Hutchings again in the mid-2010's, he sought legal advice and declined to be interviewed on a voluntary basis or to provide a voluntary statement. Solicitors acting for him also advised that if he was questioned under caution he would refuse to answer any questions or provide any form of written prepared statement.

Unionist political leaders have been queuing up this evening to offer condolences to him and declare their outrage that he was ever even expected to face a judge for what he did.

I remember last year, BBC news did a sit down interview with Hutchings from his home, and talked to him about how hard the ordeal must be and about his health etc. Absolutely surreal to think that in this case, the family of the innocent murder victim, John Pat Cunningham were ignored by the british state broadcaster. and the sympathetic TV interview was reserved for the accused murderer. Can you imagine that ever happening if the victim was an English man, shot in England, and not a mentally disabled Irishman shot in Tyrone?

[Solo_run]

For those in the 26 counties who may be unaware, Dennis was a British Soldier who shot an innocent, mentally disabled man in the back in a field in Benburb, County Tyrone in 1974. He was finally being tried in court for it over the past week.

At the time, Hutchings and the other soldier from the patrol  who fired shots at John Francis were "interviewed" by the RUC under caution. The fact that they were interviewed under caution meant that they were obviously under suspicion of having carried out a criminal offence causing the death. Despite this, the two "interviews" didn't take place until three days after John Pat's murder. Both soldiers refused to answer any questions and each interview was terminated in under 5 minutes and a within weeks, the decision was made not to prosecute. From 1974 right up until the mid 2010's,  Hutchings was never again asked to give an account of the night. Then, when the HET did contact Hutchings again in the mid-2010's, he sought legal advice and declined to be interviewed on a voluntary basis or to provide a voluntary statement. Solicitors acting for him also advised that if he was questioned under caution he would refuse to answer any questions or provide any form of written prepared statement.

Unionist political leaders have been queuing up this evening to offer condolences to him and declare their outrage that he was ever even expected to face a judge for what he did.

I remember last year, BBC news did a sit down interview with Hutchings from his home, and talked to him about how hard the ordeal must be and about his health etc. Absolutely surreal to think that in this case, the family of the innocent murder victim, John Pat Cunningham were ignored by the british state broadcaster. and the sympathetic TV interview was reserved for the accused murderer. Can you imagine that ever happening if the victim was an English man, shot in England, and not a mentally disabled Irishman shot in Tyrone?

Wasn't he walking around shaking hands with the unionists the other day? There's going to be a lot of hand scrubbing tonight.

[Snapchap]

I forgot to add, as an interesting aside, that the patrol on the night that the mentally disabled John Pat Cunningham was murdered came from the Lifes Guard Regiment, and that in their regimental log, they referred to John Pat's death as that of "the village idiot".