Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Fury as IRA man says sorry for Birmingham bombs
A Self-confessed IRA bomb maker has apologised for the Birmingham pub attacks which killed 21 people.
Michael Christopher Hayes said he was sorry innocent lives were lost in the twin attacks in November 1974.
The 69-year-old claimed the bombers had not intended to kill anyone when they planted devices in the Mulberry Bush and Tavern In The Town.
But he said a crucial eight-minute delay before police were warned of the bombs’ location led to the 21 deaths.
Hayes, who now lives in Dublin, even claimed to have diffused a third bomb after learning of the casualty numbers.
No one has ever been brought to justice for one of the worst single losses of life during the Troubles.
Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine was killed in the blasts, branded Hayes a “coward”.
He was named in a 1990 documentary as one of the men who placed the bombs in the two city centre pubs.
The IRA member was arrested and questioned by West Midlands Police detectives investigating the attacks but later released.
Hayes said “No comment, no comment” when asked by the BBC if he planted the deadly devices.
He claimed two men, who he refused to identify, left the bombs in the pubs that night.
But Hayes admitted being a member of a Uk-based IRA cell and said the terror group took a “collective responsibility” for the blasts.
He added: “It was not the intention of the IRA to kill innocent people.
“That wasn’t meant. It wouldn’t have been done if that was the case.
“We believed that we gave adequate warnings. It was only later on we realised there was eight valuable minutes missed.
“We were horrified when we heard because it was not intended. I personally defused the third bomb.”
Asked what expertise he had that allowed him to do that, Hayes said: “Quite a lot. I specialised in explosives. I knew what I was doing.”
Hayes said he understood the delay was down to one phone box being broken and another that was being used.
He added: “My apologies and my heartfelt sympathy to all of you for a terrible tragic loss that you have been put through.
“In all these years that you have been trying to find closure, I hope at last
God will be merciful and bring you closure. I apologise not only for myself, I apologise for all active republicans who had no intention of hurting anybody and sympathise with you.” Asked if his conscience was clear, he replied: “Very much so. I can sleep at night because I am not a murderer.”
But Ms Hambleton said: “He’s a coward, as simple as that.
“He’ll take collective responsibility for those unarmed, innocent people, but won’t say who done it? “He’s gutless and spineless. He’s told us nothing, he’s admitted nothing.”
Last week a coroner ruled that suspects’ identities would not be discussed at an inquest into the bombings.
Victims’ relatives have always wanted the names of those believed to be behind the attacks to be disclosed in the hearing.
West Midlands Police say their 42-year investigation into the bombings remains open.
YESTERDAY