In a modern-day version of David and Goliath, the fight for justice has taken the McCartney family — Catherine and her sisters and Robert’s partner Bridgeen — from Belfast to the White House and the European Parliament. It has included meetings with political leaders, including those in the IRA and Sinn Féin.
But along the way, the McCartney family has had to endure bullying and cowardice on the part of neighbours and people they counted as friends: long-established friends kept silent; the Catholic Church responded indifferently; and individual priests failed to stand up to Provo intimidation. And when the media listened, certain members of the community became yet more resentful.

Walls of Silence is an inspirational account of a family’s grief and its journey to justice. It explodes the myth of Republican non-involvement and illustrates six women’s strength in the face of adversity.

Catherine McCartney is a school teacher in Belfast.