'Birmingham Six' reflect on lost years

The Birmingham Six were released in 1991

The men known as the Birmingham Six speak to BBC NI Spotlight reporter Seamus Boyd about their lives since being released.

It is 11 years since the Birmingham Six emerged into the strong sunlight of a spring afternoon, spewing the tortured emotions of relief and anger to friends, the media and anyone who would listen.

For 16 years they had found few prepared to listen to their pleas they were innocent of killing 21 people in the Birmingham pub bombings.

Then they were free and Paddy Hill was in no mood for forgiveness.

"They told us they knew we didn't do it but they were going make us pay anyway," he said.

I have forgiven the police, the prison officers and even those who actually carried out the bombings

Gerry Hunter

"These people don't know how to spell the word justice never mind dispense it.''

Today, Paddy Hill is a pale shadow of that angry man. He lives on £75 a week income support, his time equally divided between fighting for justice for others and fighting for compensation for himself.

Campaigning for their release did not prepare the six for coping with freedom. Outside they struggled to rebuild relationships.

For Billy Power the loss of precious years still hurts.

"When I went to jail my oldest daughter was eight and my youngest three. You can't get back those formative years," he said.

"We're close but not as close as we should be. I actually feel more bonded to my grandchildren than my children.''

Johnny Walker: Sought solace in alcohol

Johnny Walker went home to Derry to his wife and seven children, some of whom did not recognise him. He tried and failed to rebuild his family life.

"The family in my mind wasn't the family I came out to,'' he said.

He sought solace in alcohol and at one stage was drinking a case of beer and two bottles of vodka a day.

Somehow he pulled back from the brink and amazingly found a new life.

Very lucky

He is now remarried and lives in Donegal with his Finnish wife and their seven-year-old son.

"I don't need to go out and get drunk now. I've got a whole brand new life in front of me. I'm very lucky, so very lucky.''

Richard McIlkenny was not so lucky.

He too abused alcohol but in doing so destroyed his short-term memory. He nearly lost his marriage and his mind.

"I was a different person, I was drinking bottle after bottle of vodka. I'd wake up and I'd drink. It just crippled me. You think you're in charge but you're not.''

Paddy Hill: "I don't plan for the future anymore

Gerry Hunter's marriage ended soon after his release. In truth, it had been over for a very long time.

He is good friends now with his ex-wife and has learned to cope with what was lost.

"I learned in prison that hatred and bitterness will only destroy you. I've forgiven the police, the prison officers and even those who actually carried out the bombings. I've no bitterness, I'm happy to say,'' he said.

Hugh Callaghan now 72-years-old and still has nightmares about prison beatings.

He also still waits to hear the word "sorry".

"I would love an apology. Wouldn't it be great after all we went through to hear on television that the Home Office had apologised to the Birmingham Six?".

The fight for full compensation also continues. For Paddy Hill it will be scant reward for what has been lost.

"I don't plan too much for the future. I remember doing that 30 years ago. I thought we had a future and it ended up I didn't. I don't have any long-term plans.''

Spotlight is shown on BBC One Northern Ireland at 2240 BST on Tuesday.