#the-troubles

#the-troubles

For decades, a former IRA man has undertaken a ­private search for the body of one of the Troubles' most mythical victims, Robert Nairac. Now in his 70s, last year this man told his story anonymously in a BBC podcast. Tomorrow night, he will reveal himself in a major new BBC film. Former republican prisoner Martin ­McAllister's solitary mission to find Nairac's bones demonstrates how humanity can emerge from a time of squalid sectarian slaughter.

The work of late journalist and author Ed Moloney work showed the power people's stories can have Ed Moloney, who died this week at the age of 77, was one of the most significant authors on the Troubles. Although we now live in a time when books like Say Nothing are international bestsellers and are adapted for television, Moloney's pioneering research of paramilitaries took place in a very different political atmosphere.

Mr Moloney passed away in New York City on Friday, where he had been living and working, after a brief illness. He was 77. The award-winning journalist, author and film-maker was best known for his coverage of the Troubles, and the activities of the Provisional IRA. He was the director of Boston College's Belfast Project, which collected oral interviews with republican and loyalist militants who had been active during the Troubles.

A Sunday in January 1972 marked one of the blackest days of the Troubles. On the penultimate day of the month, thousands of civil rights demonstrators took to the streets of Derry. The protest had been banned by the Stormont government and there was a heavy presence of soldiers and ­police officers. After skirmishes between ­local youths and the British army - soldiers moved in to make arrests. Shortly ­afterwards, members of the Parachute Regiment began to open fire.