Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey, award-winning investigative journalists, share a gripping account of their experiences following the 1994 Loughinisland massacre, where six civilians were killed. They reveal shocking truths about police collusion and the unlawful surveillance they faced after exposing the case in their film, No Stone Unturned. The conversation raises critical questions about the state of press freedom in the UK and the chilling effects of surveillance on journalism, urging a need for greater accountability and protection for journalists.
The podcast highlights the alarming retaliation faced by journalists Trevor Burney and Barry McCaffrey from police rather than pursuing murder suspects.
The discussion raises serious concerns about the legality of state surveillance on journalists, threatening press freedom and source protection.
Deep dives
The Importance of Investigative Journalism
The podcast narrates the compelling story of Trevor Burney and Barry McCaffrey, two journalists who uncovered the tragic massacre of six innocent men in Northern Ireland. Their investigative efforts centered around a police ombudsman report that revealed a failure in the investigation of the murders, suggesting potential state involvement or negligence. Despite the overwhelming evidence and public outcry from the victims' families for justice, the police’s lack of follow-up led to grave frustrations. This situation highlights the critical role of investigative journalism in holding systems of power accountable, especially in cases where victims seek truth and justice.
Threats to Press Freedom
The podcast discusses the alarming responses of law enforcement toward Burney and McCaffrey following the release of their documentary, 'No Stone Unturned.' Instead of pursuing the identified suspects in the massacre, the police focused their efforts on arresting the journalists under the Official Secrets Act. Armed police raided their homes in a dramatic show of force intended to intimidate both journalists and others in the press. This retaliatory action underscores the significant threats to press freedom in the region, where journalists face legal repercussions for seeking to reveal the truth.
Implications of State Surveillance
Throughout the discussion, the podcast reveals the extensive surveillance that Burney and McCaffrey endured, extending beyond typical police investigations. The investigation into their sources involved unlawful interception of communications and monitoring their movements by police forces. This invasive surveillance raises serious concerns about the ethical implications and legality of such tactics, particularly regarding the rights of journalists to protect their sources. The PSNI's approach to treating journalists as threats rather than allies in uncovering the truth reflects a troubling trend within state-driven responses to media.
Continuing the Fight for Truth
Trevor and Barry’s journey represents an ongoing struggle against systemic failures in the Northern Irish justice system and the lack of accountability faced by those tasked with upholding the law. Even with their legal victories, including significant damages for wrongful arrests, the deeper issues of police misconduct and journalistic freedom remain largely unaddressed. The call for a public inquiry reflects a desire for transparency and justice not just for Burney and McCaffrey but for all victims seeking truth in Northern Ireland's troubled history. This case exemplifies the need for vigilance in protecting press freedom and accountability within law enforcement.
On 18th June 1994, Catholic pubgoers in Loughinisland, County Down, were watching a World Cup match when a loyalist paramilitary group burst in and murdered six civilians, wounding five others. To this day, no-one has been charged for the crime.
Produced by journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey, No Stone Unturned (2017) told the story of the massacre, revealing how the police had colluded in protecting the gunmen.
When the film disclosed anonymous documents identifying the murder suspects, the Northern Irish police service (PSNI) arrested Trevor and Barry—and both of their homes were raided by armed police—to discover the source of the leak.
Last December, a tribunal found that the PSNI and Met police also unlawfully spied on both journalists, long before the film was even produced.
They join Alan and Lionel to tell their extraordinary story, and ask: could other journalists in the UK be under surveillance by the authorities?
To read more about Northern Ireland’s police spying scandal, head to www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/crime-and-justice/68906/northern-irelands-police-spying-scandal