McGuinness doc: Show an example of ‘most oppressed people ever’ narrative

A prominent campaigner for the victims of paramilitary violence has said the documentary about Martin McGuinness was steeped in a narrative about people like McGuinness being “oppressed”.
By Adam Kula
Published 12th Jan 2021, 13:07 BST
Martin McGuinness at the funeral of IRA man Chucky English in 1985, who died in a failed attack on policeMartin McGuinness at the funeral of IRA man Chucky English in 1985, who died in a failed attack on police
Martin McGuinness at the funeral of IRA man Chucky English in 1985, who died in a failed attack on police

In the PR material promoting the show, Mr McGuinness was described as somebody who went on to “defend his city and the rights of its people [and] continued throughout his life to fight for people’s right to govern themselves”.

And in the show itself, the narration includes a statement that those joining the IRA after Bloody Sunday were taking “a strong stance against the slaughter perpetrated against the people of Derry”.

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It was broadcast last Wednesday on TG4, a station based in the Republic.

Click here: Detailed breakdown of what is in the Martin McGuinness documentary

It also received somewhere in the region of £120,000 in public funding from authorities in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Kenny Donaldson, of umbrella group Innocent Victims’ United, said: “The entire documentary was a MOPE (Most Oppressed People Ever) story played out on screen.

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“The producers all but said that Martin was a noble man who had no other option than to do the right thing by becoming involved in offensive violent actions.

“Innocent victims and survivors of terror are shocked by the content of the programme but not at all surprised.”

TG4 has said it is “happy with the balance of opinion” in the documentary.

And NI Screen said: “Martin McGuinness was the deputy first minister of Northern Ireland and the first republican deputy first minister in the history of Northern Ireland, making his story and journey to that position an appropriate subject for a publicly funded documentary.”

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It added that the show “includes many aspects and perspectives on Martin McGuinness’s life”.

Click here: Ex-IRA bomber was on broadcast board when £44k given to McGuinness doc

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