12/05/2026
Today May 12th is the 29th anniversary of the LVF murder of Derry GAA official Seán Brown.
To mark the anniversary and the on-going campaign for a public inquiry the family and the Pat Finucane Centre have commissioned a book on the life and death of the 61-year-old Bellaghy GAA chair and father of six. Written by Garbhán Downey, of Colmcille Press, the book, A BITTER HARVEST, will be launched at Wolfe Tones GAA Club in Bellaghy on Sunday May 17th at 3pm.
In a foreword to the book, the BAFTA-winning actor Stephen Rea said, ‘People have watched in awe as his widow, Bridie, and his six children have resolutely responded to the British state’s tortured attempts to erect seemingly insuperable barriers to conceal the truth…Seán’s death, compounded by the injustices still being meted out to his family , continues to hurt the soul of anyone who cares about truth and justice.’
Speaking today author Garbhán Downey said, ‘The British government has made effort after effort to prevent a public inquiry taking place, so forcing an eighty-eight-year-old widow into attending court hearing after court hearing, and extending interminably her near three-decade campaign for justice. Ultimately, however, Bridie Brown and her family will prevail. The state cannot run and hide from this issue forever, and this book, we hope, will go some way to explaining why.’
The legal issues surrounding the refusal of the Secretary of State Hilary Benn MP to institute a public inquiry are due to be heard at hearing in the UK Supreme Court in London later this year. At every instance in the Northern Irish courts the judiciary have supported the family demand for an inquiry following revelations that state agents were involved in the murder.
Further launches are being planned and copies will be available for sale from Monday May 18th.
Note to Editors
Garbhán Downey is Director of Colmcille Press and a former journalist.
