Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland is a non-fiction book written by Patrick Keefe. The book was published in 2019 and explores the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, a period of conflict between Protestant and Catholic communities that lasted from the late 1960s to the 1990s. Keefe tells the story of the conflict through the lens of a single family, the McConville family, who were victims of a notorious abduction and murder committed by a group of Protestant paramilitaries.
The book is divided into ten chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the Troubles and the McConville family’s story. Through extensive research and interviews with surviving family members, witnesses, and former paramilitaries, Keefe paints a vivid picture of the violence and suffering that characterized the conflict in Northern Ireland. The book also explores the legacy of the Troubles and how it continues to shape the politics and culture of Northern Ireland today.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: The Disappeared
The first chapter of Say Nothing introduces the reader to the McConville family and the tragic event that would come to define their lives. In 1972, the family was living in a small town in Northern Ireland when their home was raided by a group of Protestant paramilitaries. Gerry McConville, the father of the family, was beaten and interrogated, while the rest of the family was forced to listen to his screams. After several hours, the paramilitaries took away 28-year-old Jean McConville, accusing her of being a Catholic informant. She was never seen again.
Chapter 2: The Dead
In this chapter, Keefe explores the history of the Troubles and the role that death played in shaping the conflict. He writes about the “disappeared,” people who were kidnapped and murdered by paramilitaries during the Troubles, and how their families were left to search for answers in a society where violence and secrecy were rampant.
Chapter 3: The Ghosts
This chapter focuses on the psychological impact of the Troubles on the people of Northern Ireland. Keefe writes about the “ghosts” that haunted the survivors of the conflict, including the ghosts of loved ones who were killed, the ghosts of the past that could not be escaped, and the ghosts of the future that loomed large over a society that was still deeply divided.
Chapter 4: The Law
In this chapter, Keefe examines the role of the law in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. He writes about the corruption and incompetence of the police force, which was often seen as complicit in the violence of the paramilitaries, and the struggles of the judicial system to bring perpetrators to justice.
Chapter 5: The Peace
This chapter looks at the peace process that began in the 1990s and the efforts to bring an end to the Troubles. Keefe writes about the Good Friday Agreement, which was signed in 1998 and established a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, and the challenges that still remain in achieving a lasting peace.
Chapter 6: The Reckoning
In this chapter, Keefe explores the legacy of the Troubles and how it continues to shape the politics and culture of Northern Ireland today. He writes about the ongoing struggle for justice and the efforts to remember the victims of the conflict, as well as the challenges of reconciling the past with the present.
Chapter 7: The Return
This chapter focuses on the search for the remains of Jean McConville and the efforts of her family to find closure. Keefe writes about the discovery of her remains in 2014 and the emotional impact it had on her family and the wider community.
Chapter 8: The Verdict
In this chapter, Keefe recounts the trial of Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Fein and a former member of the IRA, who was accused of being involved in the murder of Jean McConville. Keefe writes about the complexities of the trial and the challenges of prosecuting perpetrators of the Troubles.
Chapter 9: The Reckoning
This chapter looks at the ongoing struggle for justice in Northern Ireland and the challenges of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. Keefe writes about the legacy of the Troubles and how it continues to shape the politics and culture of Northern Ireland today.
Chapter 10: The Future
In the final chapter of Say Nothing, Keefe reflects on the future of Northern Ireland and the challenges that remain in achieving a lasting peace. He writes about the ongoing struggle for justice and the efforts to remember the victims of the conflict, as well as the challenges of reconciling the past with the present.
Conclusion
Say Nothing is a powerful and moving account of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the impact that violence had on the lives of ordinary people. Through his meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Patrick Keefe brings to life the complexities of the conflict and the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the history and culture of Northern Ireland and the challenges that remain in achieving a lasting peace.
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