Almost 27 years on from the murder of Sean Brown, his family remain without answers. On Monday night, RTÉ aired the documentary 'urder of a GAA Chairman and as the date for enactment of the Troubles Legacy Act looms, the public have spoken out in their numbers.
On the evening of May 12th, 1997, chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA Club in Derry, Sean Brown, fell victim to a brutal act of the Loyalist Volunteer Force.
As he was locking up the gates to the club, he was abducted and murdered. Despite the Royal Ulster Constabulary blaming the LVF for the murder, nobody has been charged.
On the 1st of May, the Troubles Legacy Act comes into law.
It will contain a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences and while the Irish government, EU, UN and the main political parties in the North are opposing it, it still looks set to come in.
The compelling case has since shown that 25 suspects were linked to the murder of Sean Brown, with some being state agents.
Earlier this month, the British government announced that it is taking legal action against the inquest into Sean Brown's death. Despite a coroner requesting a public enquiry, the UK government has challenged that decision.
RTÉ's Sean Brown Documentary leads to public outcry
While the Brown family still have no answers about the death of Sean almost three decades on, Monday night's documentary Murder of a GAA Chairman brought the attention of the horrific murder back to the forefront of the public's mind.
With thousands tuning in to hear from Sean Brown's family, friends, clubmates and more, viewers have taken to social media since to declare solidarity with the Brown family.
RIP Sean Brown. You were an amazing gentleman and were the epitome of all that is great about @officialgaa May your legacy continue to inspire your family, the club @BellaghyGAC and in the wider GAA tribe.I hope & pray that justice is realised for you and your family. #GAA pic.twitter.com/g6KL8wbKyw
— Enda McNulty (@Enda_McNulty) April 22, 2024
"Public enquiry or no public enquiry, Legacy Act or no Legacy Act - we will not give up until we find out the truth about the murder of my grandfather, Sean Brown"
- Daman Brown...the British Gov still haven't realised that they cannot & will not silence victims families.
— Patrick Kelly (@paddyjkelly) April 22, 2024
What Seán Brown’s family is being forced to endure by the British Government is cruel, inhumane and heartless.
Should be of profound concern to anyone who cares about the rule of law and human rights.
— Colin Harvey (@cjhumanrights) April 22, 2024
While the documentary would be shocking to anyone not familiar with the murder of Sean Brown, the ending with Bridie Brown will break your heart.
Time for a full public enquiry into Sean's murder. This goes to the heart of the British security service & it's rotten to the core.
— Malachy Quinn (@MalachyQuinn) April 22, 2024
This was utterly shocking.
In my own absolute ignorance I didn't know this story.
25 suspects, Several agents of the state.
Utterly devastating watching Mrs Brown carry that awful loss all these years.
I hope they find justice.#seanbrown#gaa#murderofagaachairman https://t.co/xGxeCS3k3E
— Feiritéar 💚💛 (@NFeirteir) April 22, 2024
The full programme about the death of Sean Brown is available on RTÉ Player
As the Brown family, the GAA world and beyond calls for action to be taken, the fact that it has taken almost three decades for any movement in the case is pretty horrific.
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