'Hooded Man' PJ McClean dies aged 86
PJ McClean was one of 14 from Northern Ireland who claimed they were tortured while in custody in the early 1970s.
One of the “hooded men” has died at the age of 86.
PJ McClean died peacefully at his home in Beragh, Co Tyrone, surrounded by his wife Annie and their children.
The former teacher and civil rights activist was interned at Long Kesh internment camp in 1971 where his family said he was one of those singled out for “special treatment” in a case that was to become known as “The Hooded Men”.
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He recognised that the inequalities and the injustices that people suffered were not split along religious lines in Northern Ireland but on the lines of those who had and had not Family statement
In total 14 men from Northern Ireland have claimed they were subjected to state-sanctioned torture while detained in custody in the early 1970s.
In a statement, Mr McClean’s family paid tribute to the former primary school teacher as a “tireless advocate for those in the community”.
“He recognised that the inequalities and the injustices that people suffered were not split along religious lines in Northern Ireland but on the lines of those who had and had not,” the family said.
“He received a Community Person of the Year Award in 2004 and was honoured with a life-time membership of the Labour Party of Ireland by the tanaiste in 2002.”
PA
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