The small town of Bellaghy came to a standstill on Friday evening as thousands gathered to show support for the family of Sean Brown, a GAA official who was murdered nearly 30 years ago. The UK Government’s decision to appeal a court ruling ordering a public inquiry into Mr. Brown’s killing sparked the community’s outrage and solidarity with his loved ones. The event, known as Walk For Truth, brought people from all over Ireland to march from St. Mary’s Church through the town to Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAC, where Mr. Brown served as chairman.
Among the crowd were prominent figures such as Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald, NI First Minister Michelle O’Neill, SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone, and GAA president Jarlath Burns. Many participants wore their GAA shirts as a sign of unity with the Brown family, who led the procession through the town center. Mr. Brown’s tragic death in 1997, where he was ambushed, kidnapped, and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries, remains unsolved, with no convictions made. The family’s relentless pursuit of justice and truth has culminated in the call for a public inquiry, supported by the court ruling that deemed the government’s inaction as unlawful.
Jarlath Burns addressed the crowd, condemning the heinous act that took Mr. Brown’s life and the subsequent denial of justice by the British Government. He praised the Brown family’s resilience in their fight for justice and vowed to continue the campaign until a public inquiry is granted. Claire Loughran, Mr. Brown’s daughter, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community, emphasizing the importance of standing together in the pursuit of truth and justice. The event served as a testament to the family’s determination and the solidarity of the Irish community in seeking closure for a tragic loss that continues to haunt them.
