Birmingham Pub Bombings: Victims' families still waiting for justice 49 years on

It's as today marks the anniversary of the bombings.

Author: Hannah RichardsonPublished 21st Nov 2023
Last updated 21st Nov 2023

The families of the 21 victims from the Birmingham Pub Bombings say they're "still waiting for justice" forty-nine years on from the attack.

On 21 November 1974, bombs exploded in two public houses in Birmingham, killing 21 people and injuring 182 others.

The attacks took place at The Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town.

49 years on and campaigners of the Justice4the21 are pushing for a public inquiry to get the answers they need.

Julie Hambleton and her brother, Brian, lost their 18-year-old sister Maxine in the bombings.

Julie said: "People across the world can't understand that if the Government can give statutory public inquiries, quite rightly to Grenfell, Hillsborough, the Manchester Arena Bombing.

"If they can all have one, then where is ours?

Six Irishmen - Hugh Callaghan, Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, John Walker, Richard McIlkenny and Billy Power - were wrongly convicted over the attacks and jailed for life in 1975, but were freed in 1991 after the Court of Appeal ruled their convictions were unsafe.

A third bomb failed to go off and was recovered, but later lost, by West Midlands Police.

Julie continued: "It has left its mark on the city and we will continue to until justice is seen to be done."

A memorial is being held at St. Phillips Cathedral at 6:15pm.

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