Unquiet Graves – ‘credibility issues with film’s unbalanced narrative’: Doug Beattie

Doug Beattie has described the Unquiet Graves film as “looking like a work of fiction” in parts with a number of “credibility issues”.
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie. 
Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker PressUlster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie. 
Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie. Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

The UUP MLA said: “As always when I watch any programme about the murder of innocent victims during our Troubles my first thought are with those left behind and how they are entitled too and must get truth and justice, no matter who the perpetrator was.

“I also always reflect that only one political party in Northern Ireland – Sinn Fein – believes that violence, like the type portrayed in Unquiet Graves, was justified.

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“Much of the commentary around this programme will sadly ignore the victims and the justification of murder and instead focus on some fanciful claims contained in it.”

John Weir on screen in Unquiet GravesJohn Weir on screen in Unquiet Graves
John Weir on screen in Unquiet Graves

Mr Beattie described one contributor – former RUC officer John Weir – as a “proven liar, convicted murderer” and someone “who never mentioned any of the allegations made in the film during his arrest, trial or during his time in prison”.

Mr Beattie said he also expected most commentators and media to ignore the fact that much of the film’s testimony hinges on testimony “from a self-confessed former member of the Provisional IRA (Paul O’Connor),” and added: “The Maze prison was filled with loyalist terrorists who were put there – along with their republican counterparts – thanks to the work of the RUC.”

The Upper Bann representative went on to say: “In the end I thought the film highlighted the human aftermath of our Troubles and nothing that I saw can or should be justified.

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“But its delivery was biased and unbalanced. Its inability to highlight and explore the credibility issues of some of its participants and its lack of reasoning as to why – for example – the British Government would have for one second supported the slaughter of children in a school, made the programme look like a work of fiction and anti-state propaganda instead of a forensic and measured delve into those few police officers and soldiers who turned to terrorism”.

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