The Shankill Butchers

With 19 murders between them, the Shankill Butchers were the most prolific gang of serial killers in UK history. With unique access to thousands of pages of evidence and exclusive interviews, Stephen Nolan goes back to the patch where he was brought up to ask how the Shankill Butchers got away with murder for so long. The programme also helps to build a psychological profile of the "ruthless and sadistic" gang leader, Lenny Murphy who, even though jailed for six years for an unrelated offence, would continue to direct the murders from his prison cell.

[@booknerd9467]

My grandmother, from East Belfast, worked with the mother of one of the victims in a stitching/sewing factory. Her son had come to visit, and was picked up by the butchers on his way to her house. They mutilated him. My granny told me about the day that lads mother returned to work. They had always been friendly, but my granny was a protestant, and wasn't sure if her friend would still want to be her friend after what happened. The woman came over to my gran, who said "I'm sorry", then her friend hugged her, and they cried in each others arms. We have to stop thinking in terms of orange vs green, we're all people. I don't understand how any protestant could glorify or approve of what these scum did. I do understand why no one who knew who they were "told" on them though. Fear is a powerful thing, and power a fearful thing.

[@georgiebrownletsgo1137]

Natasha McCready it's all evil

[@greglyons2526]

I agree Well said.

[@charli2302]

Not all protestants agree with it

[@maga8307]

Not everyone on shankill road knew this was going on. I didnt. My friends didnt. It was only when i saw someone reading shankill butchers that i found out. So no. Most hadnt a clue.

[@ostapbendervan7874]

That story got me U a catholic thats it

[@rubydawn1]

I just can not imagine how someone could do this to another person but a gang of them doing this is even more shocking.

[@mccumiskey87]

Yeah they were complete & utter psychos! Totally evil!

[@superyid2010]

R.I.P Baroness May Blood who died yesterday at the age of 84.

[@rullmourn1142]

On 16 November 1982, Murphy had just pulled up outside the rear of his girlfriend's house on the Forthriver Road area of Glencairn, a part of the Greater Shankill Area, when two Provisional IRA gunmen emerged from a black van nearby and opened fire with an assault rifle and a 9 mm pistol. Murphy was hit by more than twenty rounds and died instantly. . On his tombstone the following words were inscribed: "Here Lies a Soldier"... The tombstone was smashed in 1989.

[@jcdenton1310]

I’d piss on his grave

[@MikeyJMJ]

IRA were too nice. Should've been dragged and tortured

[@RobertK1993]

UVF told IRA how to find him

[@hammersmashedspud4345]

@@RobertK1993 the UDA,they also took part supposedly

[@Connorparker155]

@@RobertK1993 james craig give him up he was uda

[@oli19]

The fact that these murderers on both sides were referred to as "soldiers" is a travesty.

[@corrocot1]

"Both sides"? The IRA never did such savage torture.

[@dgma626]

Calling the British army soldiers is a travesty should have been called terrorists

[@ravenmusic6392]

​@eamon MacGabhainn The PIRA tortured dozens of people including a mother of 10 in the 1970s. They killed alleged informers via torture including beatings and stabbings and many of the victims were innocent. Their practice of torture went back to 1971, four years before the butchers became active and there are pictures online if you're brave enough to look them up. Sure, they didn't torture civilians in the same way the butchers did, but they certainly practiced torture and killed civilians in a way which would make the RUC blush. They even had a "green book" manual to train recruits on torture techniques from 71 onward.

[@baldrickization]

Isn't it strange how humans are usually reasonable, clever and pleasant creatures until politics gets involved. I fucking hate politics, its like a disease

[@TrueBlueEG8]

This was more down to religion, to be honest, just as much a cancer on the Human species.

[@Dom-fx4kt]

Nah it goes much deeper than religion, it is about politics and culture more than it is religion..but it's still religion to

[@geoffedwards-tb4kp]

boolagog Ironically that's your political view.

[@TrueBlueEG8]

Damhnaic Religion was the tool used to divide and conquer, it's an age old strategy a bit like the Muslim thing now.

[@bel6891]

Essentially it comes down to British occupation of a foreign land, and those that syphatise with both sides of the argument!

[@leon1488]

This is a superb documentary. I was serving in Ulster in 1979-80 and I remember the events well. We had no idea of these details though. Well done and thank you.

[@shutup2751]

by serve i'm guessing your ex uk army, how do you view nationalists and loyalists in the north plus have you been back since on holiday and what's your view of the communities today ?

[@mathewgrelr7084]

People in england though the north irish where annoying and embarrasing, but due to ties they had they need to h3lp them

[@JayaSailorTown]

I was a kid I knew Billy Moore, he had men in ship yard H&W I was 20

[@christinamcilwaine350]

You didn't belong in Ireland serving you were invading

[@PSF1986]

Murphy was a serial killer who used the conflict as cover he would of still killed people regardless

[@ostapbendervan7874]

His hatred was real Everyone are vile Deragatory was so blatant .born killa with no shame

[@coisty52]

would have not would of ffs

[@PSF1986]

@@coisty52 you must be fun at parties mate

[@gezzarandom]

He was, the troubles gave him the perfect outlet for his lust for violence and brutality. He was like Amon Goeth from Schindler’s List, WWII gave him the perfect outlet for his sadism.

[@jasonbennett5279]

just been to Belfast for the first time. amazing city and lovely people.

[@markkenna9951]

Was there last October loved the place myself most of the people are lovely definitely going back when I get the opportunity when Covid-19 is finished

[@NomadVarietyShow]

Try living there and see how lovely it is.

[@davemufcwhitehead2863]

Be good to have use back! 🙏

[@VivalaryMan]

I visited several years ago and can provide a more accurate description of Belfast.. The people are okay but the place itself is pretty boring and ugly.

[@stevemcconnell4918]

@@markkenna9951 uiioxoioghgoç me me r

[@gezzarandom]

Lenny Murphy was a sadistic psychopath first and loyalist second whom the Northern Ireland troubles gave a perfect outlet for his bloodlust and desire for killing. You see them occasionally throughout history, Amon Goth would be another example which WWII give him a perfect outlet for his lust for brutality. Also read Martin Dillons book on the Shankill Butchers, it goes into much more detail.

[@lifeisaadventure9948]

Catholic or Protestant murder is murder end of story !!! #RespectHumanRights

[@liammellows-hz3pf]

You cannot help thinking they might have got away with it all if Mr McLaverty had not survived.

[@gezzarandom]

Well who knows, maybe they would’ve made another error which would’ve led to their arrest.

[@sandrarock.5007]

God is good. Bless all who they killed. Disgusting people

[@seanmcdonnell342]

yeah your under arrest, an he hopped into the boot like a lurcher

[@charliebridges3584]

You don't get nastier than Lenny Murphy. I'm not sure even ISIS would take him.

[@WWC1]

Stephen Nolan is very brave to walk around different areas of Belfast at night and not get jumped or attacked himself

[@markkenna4104]

He's from the shankill road himself

[@oog2370]

@@markkenna4104 is he really?

[@dee7781]

@@oog2370 he is indeed, he grew up on the shankill.

[@oog2370]

@@dee7781 that's where the bias comes from hahahah

[@shutup2751]

most nationalists and loyalists aren't stupid enough to attack a well known media personality

[@vestty5802]

Odd how he has a native Irish surname Murphy

[@MaximiliaEnVT]

A fantastic and horrific book about the butchers was written by author Martin Dillon called (of course) The Shankhill Butchers and really expands on the butchers and things around them. A fantastic read and I never regret spending nearly 100 bucks finding a old paperback on it.

[@inbetweenland4395]

I worked as a Bus Driver in Glasgow in the 1990`s and the Shankhill Butchers book by Marti Dillion went round just about every driver in the depot , in fact their was a longer que in the depot to read it than there was at the bus stops in Glasgow of punters waiting for one of our buses to turn up and many times they didn`t as we drivers where far too busy reading it. I wen`t out and bought a copy some book and if I remember there was another 2 books in that series Pig in the Middle might have bee one as well

[@jeffsyg]

Yep good read.

[@benjijarman]

Not hard to work out the senior CID fella is lying through his teeth.He looks proper uncomfortable.

[@mccumiskey87]

Always that looks shady af.

[@Jimmy_Cooper]

Nesbitt knew who they were , they could have been picked up at any time . They were allowed free reign.

[@irishlegend5326]

Knowing and proving is 2 completely different things. You're coming at this with the false notion that evidence was all over the place, which it wasn't.

[@davidlambe2856]

Yes for sure

[@paulsaul7674]

Why is that cop not telling the truth? The dogs in the street could mention every one of the gang, yet they where aloud to do these murders night after night, night after night, inductions night after night night after night

[@maga8307]

Not everyone knew about this on the shankill. And it annoys me that they gave shankill a bad name because of this.

[@MikeyJMJ]

@@maga8307 The butchering of innocent lives should annoy you more than a simple name

[@danshanahan8328]

How the police didn't put surveillance on Millfield after the 3rd murder is beyond me.fair play to Stephen Nolan though

[@ethansmith3228]

@Ali B ofcorse they were lol

[@ethansmith3228]

Stephen Nolan’s knows that police officer is talking shit saying they didn’t know who the butchers were

[@Littlemac84]

That old lady from the Shankill Road is brave speaking out the butchers.

[@liammellows-hz3pf]

She knew every Killer,and done nothing

[@jrjrjj7497]

liam mellows1916 you would have done fuck all aswell

[@jrjrjj7497]

liam mellows1916 they would literally kill ya

[@jameslarkin8494]

What is a certainty is,she kicks the pope every 12th of July.Never a 100% in her convictions.

[@irishlegend5326]

@@jameslarkin8494 that is where you are most likely wrong. To hold to your convictions is to hold to a firmly held belief, but you're making assumptions about her character, which actually says a lot about your own.

[@Kelly14UK]

Confronted with the accusation of negligence, Nesbitt's throat tightened and he had to clear it. Any body language expert would mark a point down against him. His speech staggered about too. Eye contact's broken as well.

[@Richard_L_Y]

If you were 'confronted with the accusation of negligence' where you were not negligent, how would you react? As a normal person; in real life; not something in the movies?

[@nathanjames8325]

Nesbitt should have been sacked not honoured. He sits there with such a straight face. Unforgivable.

[@bigearedmouse17]

Of all the terrible things that happened during the troubles in N.I. by both sides these murders were by far the worst.

[@AlexanderBogdanow]

*Cough* Bloody Friday *Cough* Warrenpoint Ambush *Cough* Shankill Road Bombing

[@starry99]

enniskillen bombing was pretty vile

[@samuraisoul1043]

I think the scappoteci guy was woeful to . Killed tons for being “spy’s” when the mi6 were using him as a spy that’s scummy to. These guys were serial killers and used the cause as an excuse the butchers were the worse .

[@oog2370]

Dublin and Monaghan bombings aswell

[@shazzzabanazz4789]

Omagh bombing ,, Shankill bombing ,, being blown to smithereens to me is worse

[@liammellows-hz3pf]

Jimmy Nessbit knew everything about these cut throats and done nothing.

[@swizerland100]

it's best to keep an open mind, their are people with such over whelming dark minds living with us that we and the police have to try and work out how to stop them,don't rule out giving them some credit if they need it.

[@nathanjames8325]

Nesbitt says that when McLaverty was 'spoken' to they knew they were unto something!!! He was supposed to be looking for the SHANKILL Butchers....a catholic is found seriously assaulted on the Shankill, both wrists slashed and Nesbitt's men didn't actually speak to McLaverty for 2 days...Nesbitt didn't actually speak to him for 5 days!

[@gezzarandom]

Gerard McLaverty was in a coma for days after he was found. He was very lucky to pull through.

[@andygibson7390]

Jimmy...Jimmy...Jimmy...you are not a very good 🤥 liar

[@savedandblessed79]

Murphy was a slippery character and a very dangerous man.

[@uknownspongebob9184]

My granddad saved one of these men without the knowledge of him being one of shankill butchers and keep in mind he’s a catholic and when police came to question him they told him about it and my grandfather replied a human life Is a human life he’s mentioned in a book about them I think it’s 9 dead men walking my granddads name is Tommy nelson

[@rivertolka]

. A decent man he must be ...

[@maga8307]

Was it 50 dead men walking like in the film?

[@dee7781]

@@maga8307 the book is much better than the film.

[@ToldAlthea]

26:20 to 26:45. The way he blinks his eyes and clears his throats when asked whether he and his department “did not want to catch the butchers”. A very obvious “tell” that he was flat out lying. Shameful.

[@SCLOUD3112]

Everyone on the internet seems to be a body language expert

[@flammenwerfer6]

I grew up in a loyalist community knowing about all this shit...... Moving to England was an eye opener though..English person, "Skankill Butchers, is that the one on the corner? does the nice sausage? Me, " aye, it's next tae Scapaticcis Italian cafe."

[@Kelly14UK]

Always admired the disconcerted look he gave that guy when he said the insulting term "Taig"

[@charlaefinlan5049]

Some of these comments🤦🏼‍♀️ Both sides done wrong!! And both sides weren't innocent either, shit got completely out of hand on both ends. I don't see the point in arguing! It was beyond horrendous... We all know it happened, we all know it was wrong. We should learn from it, move on and treat each other better. It would be nice to have something good come from all the bad😊

[@9hawklord]

The IRA killed Murphy how come the security forces couldnt. The security forces easily got to the INLA but gave the Shankill butchers a free pass.

[@CallMeMrX]

Because there were many people on Murphy's side who would benefit from his death, and it was easier to have the IRA kill him.

[@RobertK1993]

@@CallMeMrX UVF scared of him be a they are weak and feeble hence they got the IRA to do 8t.

[@tecumsehcristero]

The RUC knew full well who were the Shankill butchers. If not, how did they give them up to the Provos?

[@irishlegend5326]

Knowing and proving are 2 completely different things. You realise a lot of people loyalists killed were "known" to be IRA members and today is proven that they weren't. It doesn't matter what you know because all that matters in court is evidence.

[@antoindearg5614]

It's suspected that other Loyalists passed the intelligence on Murphy's whereabouts to the PIRA. Some say people within the UVF itself, though the chief suspect appears to be Jim Craig, the former UDA Finance Officer. Craig was taken out by his own people in 1988, for what was described as 'Treason'. He's linked to the deaths of 5 senior Loyalists, including Murphy, John Bingham and John McMichael.

[@irishlegend5326]

@@antoindearg5614 you are very right. There is a significant amount of loyalists that benefitted from having the IRA take care of Mr. Murphy, but that's mainly because Murphy was putting at risk business that both sides were involved in together.

[@antoindearg5614]

If I remember correctly, Jim Craig ended up being filmed meeting a member of the Provo's Northern Command Staff. All sorts of shady deals were going on, and no doubt continue to this day.

[@irishlegend5326]

@@antoindearg5614 Of course it continues to this day my man. They saw the green and decided to dedicate their lives to having it all.

[@bettythompson2837]

They killed Protestant as well

[@JB-qr2jq]

One of the guys that killed Murphy was a serious character.

[@lambhdeargh]

I am such a threat, that I, as an Irishman, can date, marry and love a woman from the opposite religion! I have grown up in theses times, and hated it. Now I see its scaly eyes looking for new blood, innocent to the true horror that it asks!

[@SMC01ful]

The big issue here is if Protestants were being killed, Murphy and his gang would have been nicked a lot earlier. They had to have sympathizers within the RUCF. In saying this, it was the police affiliated UVF who tolerated this shite, but got sick and tired of Murphy and his antics. God, what an ugly fucking time in Irish history, love to all victims and their families.

[@ClamMan1989]

But half the victims were Protestants so that makes no sense.

[@1seansouth]

"Murphy was about to up the ante....big time!" Off key Nolan, you cheeseburger eating large man

[@mathewgrelr7084]

Dude looks like a cheezbjrger

[@luckyduck6710]

There was atrocities on both sides, The Kingsmill massacre was evil, I felt so sorry for those workers and the one Catholic on the bus ,when the gunmen asked was there any Catholics on the bus and one was ,he obviously thought he was getting shot but to be told to run and don't look back was TERROR , i saw an interview with him and he said he felt so guilty and believed he would be blamed for setting the murders up ,the families of the dead said they never suspected or blamed the man. The troubles was a huge waste of life. Both sides killed many innocent and in the end the IRA and UVF accepted what was offered to them in the mid 70's. Now SF will soon be in power down south.

[@Tony-sj3xq]

lucky duck 67 : Probably the most sobering and balanced post i have read on here thus far . Well said . I had both Catholic and Protestant friends who were killed but many foolishly think one could not have friends who were of the opposite faith back in the day

[@luckyduck6710]

Tony D. Thank you. I got to know some Protestants through Catholic friends, It was Christmas early 90's and we all got on great. Hopefully the sectarian on both sides will end and Catholic and Protestants will get along with each other and end sectarianism for good. If both sides could end their campaigns of violence surly they can trust one another and build bridges . Peace onto you

[@barrymcguire7124]

@@luckyduck6710 you should ring them and tell them they might not have thought of that 🤔🇮🇪💚🇮🇪

[@CHICANOYOULOVE2HATE]

They're similar to the Chicago Ripper Crew. But those men were far more sadistic and gruesome with their crimes.

[@TravisLoneWolfWalsh]

Murphy was a blood thirsty lunatic

[@PutUKFirst]

Because we allowed it to happen and the brigade staff was afraid of them. The conclusion of everything was a pact between MI5 the UVF and the IRA. On the day Murphy was killed all police and army patrols had been pulled out of Glerncairn and that was the day he died.

[@Wearethewingmakers]

You can tell by that main coppers eyes he is lying, they had to of known that’s who was involved, however there’s a difference between knowing and proving that’s beside the point, they knew.

[@uelrobson9361]

Stephen Nolan is a liar, he wasn't from the Shankill. He looks different with his clothes on and out of Thailand.

[@timlinnington8106]

Wiki says Stephen Nolan was born on the Shankill. Where are you saying he was from ?

[@timberwolvesxx7250]

Murphy is an Irish name! haha

[@shazzzabanazz4789]

He was a Catholic turn coat that's why

[@vestty5802]

@@shazzzabanazz4789 no he was a Protestant always

[@irishelk3]

Fucking horrible bastards, i can only imagine how that girl felt being kept back in her car during that wankers funeral, i would personally go fucking insane. And to think that people even to this day hail them as heros? these people need head transplants, they have no heart, no spirit, pride and hatred are the bugs of violence, theres only one way to change things in the north and thats to do away with religion altogether, and introduce a new way to look at life a way in which sees every human being as remarkable, out of all the millions of sperm we made here through unconditional love, so if anyones reading this, look i dont care who you are, we are all here to help one another, to love, to learn, so give up your pride, your fixed ideas, and your hatred and do something good for fuck sake.

[@pauldunneska]

Nothing to do with religion they only murdered Catholics because they assumed that all Catholics were Irish Nationalists, so nothing really to do with religion its about territory as most people assume all Protestants want to stay with britain, territorial is what this is if they thought all Catholics wanted to stay british they wouldn't have murdered anyone. 22/10/2014. Irish time 2:23am. Wednesday.

[@irishelk3]

Paul Dunne Well to an intelligent person it might seem like it had nothing to do with religion, but to people like that it probably does, and the same with most of the shit that goes on, religion is behind it all, you give the wrong people an ideal, and they will follow through.

[@pauldunneska]

irishelk as I said nothing to do with religion, do you really think these people went to a Protestant church service every Sunday, stop blaming religion this was about nationalism and I happen to be an Irish Republican nationalist and Catholic,these loyalists that are scum of course were psychopaths but for them it was all about being british and they thought every Catholic was an Irish Nationalist.

[@irishelk3]

Paul Dunne Religion is STUPID

[@pauldunneska]

irishelk it just teaches you morals and how to run your life, not that I always practice what I preach.

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

Seriously wouldn't be surprised if Murphy was MK Ultra subject. Murphy, is one soul that even Satan himself would come to collect.

[@stewartrobinson7327]

He fought like a girl

[@RobertK1993]

Satan pisses in Lenny dead Presbyterian skull

[@RobertK1993]

@@stewartrobinson7327 Ulster Loyalists fight like girls

[@noodles169]

They remind me of the demeo crew. A gang of mafia serial killers

[@shazzzabanazz4789]

They were far from being a gang

[@ohno2112]

Animals worshiping Animals ! This is what a lack of education does. The power structure knew and did not care. State of Denial !

[@jimmybaker8640]

ohno2112 its not a lack of education but understanding

[@tarcioleoterio8795]

Hi, I´m from Brazil and I grew up as a Protestant here in Brazil, in 1984 we were less than 10% of all brazilians, but know plenty people converted to our faith and since from now we are more than 35% of the population, the issue is, that some problems get started, such as protestants & Catholics fighting each other for space on TV, we don´t have any kind of violence (yet) but I fear that in the future our country become an Ulster. :o ( We are all brothers in faith. God bless you all salute from Brazil. I hope someday travel to Belfast I´m sure that all of you are wonderful people ! Sorry for my poor english

[@wonjubhoy]

Although the troubles in Northern Ireland were described as a religious war between protestant and catholics it is more accurate to define the conflict as between those who want to maintain the union with Britain and those who want to end it. Irish nationalism is not anti-protestant as many well known Irish nationalists were protestants.

[@tarcioleoterio8795]

Wow I did not know that! Could you suggest me some book about the troubles in Northern Ireland ?

[@wonjubhoy]

I would recommend this one by Liz Curtis. www.amazon.com/Cause-Ireland-United-Irishmen/dp/0951422960. It is detailed and very informative. This covers the period from 1798 to 1921. One good historian is Robert Kee.

[@wonjubhoy]

To develop my point further there are 3 main strands of political thought in the Irish troubles. The unionist tradition which wants rule from London has been heavily influenced by an organisation called the orange order which is dedicated to a supremacy of protestants over catholics. They are now represented by the DUP and UUP. The constitutional nationalist tradition which was represented by protestant leaders like Grattan, Butt and Parnell but with the majority of its supporters being catholics. They wanted an Irish parliament for Irish affairs only but still to remain with the United Kingdom. The SDLP in Northern Ireland are in this tradition. The other tradition is revolutionary republicanism. This first developed during the 1790s. Like constitutional nationalism it had prominent protestant leaders like Wolfe Tone, Napper Tandy, Lord Edward Fitzgerald and Henry Joy McCracken and again most of its supporters were catholics. They wanted to abolish religious distinctions and regard everyone as simply Irish regardless of background. They were prepared to use violence to end English rule and establish Ireland as an independent republic. Sinn Fein see themselves as their successors.

[@tarcioleoterio8795]

Outstanding Kevin! Thank you very much for the class! :D I´ll get the book as soon as I can.

[@annastark3786]

I bought a book about this when I visited Belfast in 1990.

[@seanmcwilliams6848]

It's a horrible Steven king like book.

[@irishwolfhound5703]

RUC Repetitive Ulster Collussion

[@alessandrobanovich6847]

I am completely shocked by this story. Those victims were not affiliated with the IRA or some other groups, but just regular law abiding British citizens who happened to be Catholic. And I don't want to forget those Protestants who were killed by these absolute monsters. No wonder why other Loyalists wanted to get rid of Lenny Murphy...

[@StudioX1Videos]

This genuinely sends chills down the spine. The rest were brutal but Murphy was on another level fuck sake. What a psychopath, to be capable of what he actually done at the age of just 23… evil sadistic bastard

[@anthonykilgannon8870]

I read a book many years ago about the butchers it was frightening.the illegal drinking dens where all the torture took place were like something from a horror movie.most of the gang were low intelligence heavy drinkers in every interview I read about the murders they always said"we had a good drop" and Moore was always sent to get the knives.Lenny murphy had a part catholic background which led to his hatred to them.i still think he was used as a puppet by shady British intelligence which is why he was hard to convict.

[@MrSkid1970]

The British government were playing the Catholics against the protestants!divide and conquer!

[@antoindearg5614]

There's no real evidence Murphy had a Catholic background, that line appeared in Dillon's book on the Butchers, but is regarded as erroneous by some, including those who study Loyalism. Murphy and his brothers were all active UVF members, and his father, who Dillon claimed was a mousy, reclusive man due to people suspecting him of being a Catholic, was also active in the UVF, although not an 'operator' like his sons. People on the Shankill would have been aware of the family involvement in the paramilitaries, and those who knew them have rubbished the claims of them being perceived as Roman Catholic.

[@mauriceosullivan6832]

@@antoindearg5614 with a name like Murphy,,,of course he was a Catholic.

[@Connorparker155]

Strange thing was a 150 yards away from the family home was a catholic family with the same name who's 2 sons had the same names as lenny brothers also I don't believe he was a terror agent the uvf were happy with wat the butchers were doin and alot of people afraid of them in fact they killed some people not knowing there religion

[@SilverMist0121]

The british had no involvement in his doings he was just sick evil bastard

[@stpatricksghost]

Our History is much deeper . We are Brothers in the Mist.

[@cloak5857]

cant understand a word so i turned on the cc and its crazy what it comes up with, nothing close to what their saying either.

[@mcivor321]

Murphy had to prove he was the ultimate loyalist because he was actually a taig. His old boy was from the falls. He was sick, not nearly as sick as Lawrence bittaker or Edmund kemper but still sick.

[@samuraisoul1043]

Kemper was a monster just as well he handed himself in . Only coz he killed his mother which was a big thing for him and made him feel satisfied. If he had waited any longer he would not have stopped killing .

[@irishrepublican3739]

Aye and Michael stones ma was a Catholic from Dublin😂

[@antoindearg5614]

Lenny Murphy's father wasn't a Catholic, or from the Falls Road. On the contrary, he was a known Loyalist, who worked within the UVF's Welfare Department, and was a member of the same unit as his son. The claims in Dillon's book on the 'Butchers' regarding Murphy Senior appear to be bullshit. There's a Scottish guy writing a new book on the UVF, and he's covered this on his website, 'Balaclava Street'.

[@mcivor321]

@@antoindearg5614 he has Catholic ancestry somewhere. He didn't get the surname Murphy from Scottish and English settlers.

[@mcivor321]

@@irishrepublican3739 Michael Stones ma was Sullivan

[@craigsutherland4726]

The only book I’ve ever read

[@scotcree]

Murphy older brother was the leader , they couldn’t mention because he was never in court for any charge , so that is who the boss was . And that is the truth, in the books they called him mister X ,Murphys brother .

[@JoeMullanMusic]

Mr A you mean. Mr X was the name given to Lenny Murphy by the press during the 1979 trial.

[@scotcree]

@@JoeMullanMusic No . Mr A was his older brother he was behind it , died in. Rod accident at the bottom of Grovsner Rd , irony it was an RC that called an Ambulance

[@andrewgraham7659]

Could have been solved faster, but any system's weaknesses can be found and exploited. Shows the intelligence level of some. I don't condone the behaviour, but to shoot their own by mistake, that is dumb.

[@beakyturf6336]

Andrew Graham Serial killers only want to kill. The only sides they see is...alive...or did/can I stop them being alive. L.M. was far from being dumb.

[@gracegoodwin344]

beyond my comprehension also xx

[@importedmusic]

If ever you wanted to see how a society should not exist, look at Northern Ireland

[@istateofmind4511]

You won't find a more welcoming place than Northern Ireland. Great people on both sides of the fence in that respect, sure the past is a dark time, but it's not indicative of the people here as a whole. Come to Belfast, guaranteed you will love it!

[@importedmusic]

iStateOfMind4 Sure, when people turn a blind eye when they see someone getting attacked.

[@istateofmind4511]

importedmusic What do you even mean by that?

[@drinkwater319]

Not really fair....sectarian murders caused such fear it was palpable and crippling. Criticise religion not the people who have to live under it, even if they believe in it. No different to the fear ISIS propagates.

[@pragmatic1ultramagnetic202]

+iStateOfMind4 I agree. I'm a "fenian" from a border county in the "south", but you won't find more friendly, decent and good natured people,on both sides, anywhere else. I've family in the north and have been visiting Belfast since the late 80s. Back then there was a lot of tension and anxiety about the place, but it's still the most friendly city I've ever visited.

[@markkenna4104]

I'm going up to the shankill road

[@AWESOMEALDAIR]

shame on them bringin shame to the shankill shame

[@cmc6790]

Agreed. Not saying that the area is completely squeaky clean (like most areas in general); however they have tarnished any opportunities of moving forward because of their actions as the name will always be associated to the Shankill.

[@tadghoconbhuidhe9757]

@@James-nw1oj nope

[@TheSpecky5eyes]

Couple of guys here don't get the joke 😂😂

[@lambhdeargh]

Asked a question and the eyes lied! 26:00!

[@tommycochrane1889]

I noticed that myself, he knows more than he's saying 👌

[@francenjensen608]

Belfast very own Charles Manson.

[@PutUKFirst]

Brigade staff never sanctioned any of Murphys actions.

[@sevatar5762]

Pretty sure the bombing his team did was sanctioned. The one that killed the 10 year old boy.

[@stuiep1983]

I think Robert Bates and Brendan Hughes formed a mutual respect while incarcerated, apparently Bates foiled a loyalist plot to murder Hughes too. Bates, from what I've read, became a born again Christian and worked as a community worker after his release. None of that will be comfort to the lass who lost her father though. Horrific crimes.

[@Connorparker155]

He became a alcoholic and was living with a prostitute I live near the Shankill know alot of people from there

[@bobbydigital3423]

The Police seem either completely incompetent or completely involved.

[@dfwboxingisback9173]

The Shankill Road.

[@bobnice3044]

Murphy actually administered the poison in Prison..according to Martin Dillions book.

[@irishlegend5326]

That's based on a second hand account with no evidence that can conclusively support it, but I would believe it. He was an utterly twisted individual.

[@antoindearg5614]

Other writers, in particular people who cover the topic of Loyalism, are not particularly appreciative of Dillon's book on the 'Butchers' or his other work 'Trigger Men'. At best he's regarded as sensationalist, at worst an outright fabricator. Some things can't be disputed, as they're based on police reports, coroner's enquiries and other factual sources, but certain things are heavily disputed.

[@randalpmcmurphy1340]

@@antoindearg5614 Trigger Men was awful. I put it down half way through and didn't pick it up again. The Butchers book is a good read (as is the Dirty War) but a lot of what is written in the Butchers has been refuted like you say. Seems like Dillon "upped the ante" with Trigger Men though.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

Lenny got off too easy

[@lizsmith1202]

if a movie in 1920

[@brimmer01]

I bet youse all still watch the new kray's film and probably liked the old one plus have all the books....

[@daithiocinnsealach3173]

Freshly bootchered!

[@tecumsehcristero]

Shankill Butchers where added by the English occupation

[@PutUKFirst]

Not everyone was a bigot and hated to see innocent's being sacrificed to the thugs on both sides.

[@dagre1839]

I don't know why anyone (young person anyway) would not just go abroad and live a normal life, obviously the people in this environment are all gone daft. Turning up at poor mad Lennies funeral with flowers???

[@vimes1003]

Costs money to move country doesn't it?

[@thom2185]

No-one ever asks how a bunch of guys who I'm guessing didn't exactly shine in school could have such knowledge of the law. Every statement made was that these things just happened nothing was ever planned therefore not premeditated. Murphy jumping out of a lineup therefore when he was picked out it was void because it was thought he was only picked because of the commotion he created. How murphy after he was arrested for a shooting was able to go to toilets in a police station and when in cubicle tried to wash to powder off his hands and clothes . The book leaves you astounded that a bunch of loons had such a grasp of the law. Makes me think they were schooled by security forces.

[@pauldunneska]

I read in the Irish Sunday independent newspaper dated 31 August 2014 on page 26 that the RUC detective inspector Jimmy Nesbitt died last week aged 79,he's the detective who eventually nailed the Shankill butchers, the Shankill butchers killed 19 people and where supposed to kill only Catholics, but as loyalists are very unintelligent people, 9 of the people out of the 19 that were killed where in fact Protestant people, anyway they were wasting their time as now Belfast has a Catholic majority and now that ian paisley's dead and that RUC detective inspector Jimmy Nesbitt another orange brit Protestant is also now dead and all that old Protestant generation will be dead before the next census in 2021 creating a natural Catholic majority in the occupied six counties of Ireland in 2021,a very interesting documentary this is about the Shankill butchers ,I think from 2010 with Jimmy Nesbitt talking about his detective work.14/9/2014. Irish time 14:21. Sunday.

[@RyanMcDonnellComedian]

You've just written an 11 line sentence and made fun of other people's lack of intelligence.

[@pauldunneska]

Ryan McDonnell sad when a man with a great Irish name and presumably Catholic supports a unionist team like Glentoran.I just hope you don't support a United Kingdom and when the border referendum comes about vote for a United Ireland.

[@RyanMcDonnellComedian]

Ryan McDonnell I have no religious affiliation. I'm a free-thinking adult able to exist outside of the tribal boundaries constricted and upheld by sectarianism that you seem obsessed with and defined by. If such a referendum comes, I'll vote for whatever I deem to be the best outcome socially and economically for my country at that time.

[@pauldunneska]

Ryan McDonnell well comedian with two Irish surnames as your name I just hope when the referendum comes about for a United Ireland and can see from the news nowadays that the Irish economy is booming again this time without it becoming a bubble and will steadily grow stronger than the subsidised occupied six counties of Ireland,and the Irish Republic can support financially a United Ireland and with persuasion make it socially acceptable to Protestants will you then vote for a United Ireland?

[@Kelly14UK]

You should really punctuate better cos your facts are bang on, and I'm so pleased the Catholics will win in the end. Let's tear up the UK cos it was evil and disproportionate Norman bullying really. The country was based on William the Conquerer's gangster ways. England 1066 was shite from the word go.You know that bitch the queen finalises a law by saying it out in French? I voted Yes just there and in the end the younger generations will end this farce on both sides of the Irish Sea once and for all. It was NEVER a " union", ruled by out of touch London. Arrogance. They executed Irish men AFTER the Republic got its Independance.

[@Wotdermatter]

How can anyone say, "...within a square mile," of a single location, as at 30:23, when the distance is a linear not geometrical factor?

[@irishlegend5326]

They were kidnapped within that square mile and the 15 odd square smile area is where bodies were found or areas they suspect they would have moved through.

[@Alkymick1]

The London-based Establishment set up a similar but worse situation in Palestine over a 100yrs ago saying; 'The Balfour Declaration's purpose was to form a “little loyal Jewish Ulster in a sea of potentially hostile Arabism' ...According to the Military Governor of Jerusalem, Oriental Secretary in Cairo, Governor of Cyprus & Governor of Northern Rhodesia, Ronald Storrs. The whole population of Northern Ireland were subjected to psychological warfare throughout the Troubles by these same people who wish to rid the world of the Abrahamic religions, & they're known collectively as the ancient Mystery Schools or; 'Secret Societies'. See Aleister Crowley's 'Book Of The Law' (1904) where he declares war on the religions on the world on behalf of British Intelligence for reference.

[@caolaing04]

i think one of my mates is related to gerard mclaverty

[@markbrowne7509]

Legend

[@brimark6798]

The Copper who solved they murders amist all the other murders in that city everyday in 70s. He must have been sharpest Cop in history cops

[@ostapbendervan7874]

Listen to the most hardened tuff pod last nite Holy christ Murphy murphy I could feel the hatred thru his voice IRISH PEOPLE TUFF.WITH SENSE OF PRIDE ARMAGH HAVE PRIDE so you think u gangsta May peace be up on Ireland Live separate and together and respect as much as you.can Some PEOPLE south of here Dont know racism & hard prejudice🇨🇦

[@butchreed213]

Did Lenny Murphy have a daughter who would had been 16 in 92/93, I ask because I remember a girl with that surname who went to a school I went to and she lived in the area which was a loyalist area. I am a prod if anyone is wondering.

[@mariewalker4010]

He did have a daughter but when this happened his wife and daughter fled to Scotland I did hear they came back years later

[@weneverstop.4640]

Animals 😡

[@ostapbendervan7874]

MAy god bring peace

[@mariewalker4010]

Not fat boy Nolan

[@markbrowne7509]

Pity it wasn't Adams

[@gracegoodwin344]

what a load of bollox

[@georgerichardson7728]

what a valuable contribution.

[@garyeaton6172]

I’d hate to cause any arguments on here but I’ve never understood why all this went off in Ireland why did they hate the uk so much why do they hate each other too

[@irishwolfhound5703]

So Britain invade Ireland and owned it. They moved a section of their population to northern Ireland to spread the Protestant religion. When Ireland gained independence in 1920s , Northern Ireland remained british because of the british people living there . These people persistently clash to this day

[@blueger5551]

Everyone on here is saying how evil the butchers were and totally agree and the ira were just the same killed women and children

[@davidlambe2856]

Whether they were catholic protestant or muslim it shouldn't have been allowed to go on as long as I did

[@henrylogman5368]

Fs the ra killed more Catholics than the cops , army and all loyalist paramilitaries put together . Secretly burying their victims bodies is much worse than anything done in the troubles in my opinion , denying their families a grave to visit and never being able to properly grieve is disgusting . Some of the comments on here are very bias but you'll always get that. Wrong was done on both sides let's not forget that

[@sharyng261]

This might sound daft, but besides stalking their victims how would they know who was Catholic?

[@georgerichardson7728]

Belfast back then was a very divided place, literally walls between the communities (still has in some places) , outsiders were easy to spot I'd guess.

[@retrorambles517]

I'm glad I'm atheist Thank god

[@davidlambe2856]

How can you be an atheist and thank God