The Paper Trail Pro podcast is written and hosted by author, Ciarán MacAirt, founder and manager of Paper Trail. The Paper Trail Pro podcast examines legacy archives buried deep in public records and the real lives recorded in them.
In May 1972, the British Minister of State for Northern Ireland requested a short note on the origins of the Black and Tans and the B Specials. Lord Windlesham requested the historical brief regarding the Black and Tans and B Specials “at a time when the Royal Ulster Constabulary is under strength and there is […]
Black and Tans: A Historical Brief for a British Minister in 1972 Read More »
The murder of Donegal civilian, Michael Leonard, by RUC in 1973 is to be raised in the Seanad. An important Commencement Matter regarding the murder of Donegal civilian, Michael Leonard, by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) on 17th May 1973 will be discussed in Seanad Éireann today (2nd October 2019) as the family fight for
Michael Leonard: Murder of Civilian by RUC Debated in Seanad Read More »
Vindication for campaigning families at the EU Committee of Ministers last week. The Deputies of the Committee of Ministers at the European Parliament (link): 1. recalled that this group of cases concerns the effectiveness of investigations into the deaths of the applicants’ next-of-kin in Northern Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s, either during security force
EU Committee of Ministers Read More »
The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has ordered an independent investigation into the murder of Jean Smyth-Campbell. Jean Smyth-Campbell was a single mother who was shot dead in an unprovoked attack in June 1972. The Royal Ulster Constabulary told her family that she was murdered by the local members of the
Jean Smyth-Campbell Murder: Independent Investigation Ordered Read More »
As his family has long believed, the RUC did murder Michael Leonard. In an astounding admission, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has admitted that the shooting dead of civilian Michael Leonard on 17th May 1973 by members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary was in fact murder. Read Connla Young’s front page report in the
Police Admit To RUC Murder of Michael Leonard Read More »
Kinnear & Co. Solicitors represent the family of Jean Smyth-Campbell, who was killed in a drive-by shooting by the undercover British Army Unit (the MRF), in June 1972. At the time Jean’s family were told that the IRA had carried out the attack. The RUC then parroted this falsehood to the inquest in November 1972.
Press Release: Solicitors for the Family of Jean Smyth-Campbell Read More »
Statement by the family of Patsy Kelly on the discovery of startling new information which points towards a cover-up by the British state. Startling new information relating to the 1974 abduction and murder of Independent Councillor, Patsy Kelly (right), from Trillick, Co. Tyrone, has been uncovered following a freedom of information request on behalf of
Patsy Kelly Murder, 1974 – Startling New Information Uncovered Read More »
In this Paper Trail Pro podcast, we out Britain’s Man in Maynooth. We examine the rather cosy relationship between a highly influential Irish Monsignor at Maynooth College and a British covert spy and propaganda unit. At first glance, the file I found was a brief, quite nondescript information report from one British civil servant in the Dublin
Podcast 7 Britain’s Man in Maynooth Read More »
In this podcast, we examine the early career of British soldier and Loyalist paramilitary, Brian Nelson. When the murky history of the Troubles is written, Brian Nelson’s name is assured of a place. His name has become synonymous with the word “collusion” as he was a double agent run by British military intelligence at the
Podcast 6: Brian Nelson – Diminishing Responsibility? Read More »
In this Paper Trail Pro podcast, we examine the Myth of the Orange Pimpernel. Secret British archives prove that Gusty Spence did not escape from police custody when he was the most wanted Loyalist in the north of Ireland. The police simply released him and helped create the Myth of the Orange Pimpernel. Government Line
Podcast 5: The Myth of the Orange Pimpernel Read More »
