(Emma Groves pictured centre campaigning against Plastic Bullets)Mrs Groves, who was Grandmother of the Ógra members, had dedicated her life to campaign for a ban to rubber and later plastic bullets.
In 1971 a member of the notorious Parachute regiment shot Mrs Groves in the face with a rubber bullet in Andersonstown, West Belfast. The shooting of Mrs Groves happened as mass arrests were happening on her estate, and it left her blinded for life.
At the time Emma had 11 children.
Through her campaign work, Emma helped form the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets and Relatives for Justice.
Speaking in 2004 about her shooting Emma said,
“The media always got the government version out first that people who were shot had got what they deserved and it always took you an awful long time to put that right.”
“As for the Irish government, they never wanted to know. They tried to be very nice but weren't interested. They were always polite, but they were never really cared.”
“They could talk all day about the Gaza Strip or South Africa, but they weren't interested in what was happening 100 miles up the road."
7 comments:
That was a very touching piece about Emma. I only met her once, but she had a great impact on me.
RIP Emma.
Very touching indeed. It is such a shame that more cannot be done for such forgotten victims. RIP Emma.
RIP Emma
its an end of era, ill miss my granny loadz! so will all the rest of her family!
RIP Emma,
Jane Galway
my dear aunt emma, always loved and respected, always fair and generous with her love. missed terribly. always in my heart and prayers. thankyou for being in our lives.
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