August 9th 1983
I was playing with my mates in the shed at the back of my ma's house when I heard the news about my cousin Thomas. My wee brother Tony ran out to tell me. He said my ma wanted me to go up the street, and tell my aunt, that Thomas had been killed by the British Army.
Confused, stunned, and scared, I flew up the street as fast as my 12 year old legs could carry me. At first I did not know what to say but then the words came thick and fast. Thomas was dead. The Brits killed him. A whirlwind stirred up around Belfast that day, and brought with it fear, hatred, sorrow, bitterness, and grief. Riots spread throughout the night, with people displaying their feelings against this murder in a way that was reflective of the violence that ended Thomas' life.
In stark contrast an outpouring of support for Thomas and his family came from around the world, people paid tribute to a man who made a joyful presence felt wherever he went. Wreaths, flowers, and cards came from famous rock and pop bands whom Thomas had worked for as a road manager. The pop group Bananarama attended the funeral, which was followed by thousands of mourners.
In an unprecedented move, the British Army Private who murdered Thomas was arrested, charged with murder, and subsequently became the first British soldier to be convicted of murder; a charge that was welcomed by the family, but later devastated the family even further, when it was reported a few years later, that the soldier had been released and was back serving in the British army.
Even though Thomas's life was cut short, unlike that British soldier, Thomas will live on in the memories of the thousands of people, whose lives his joyful spirit touched and changed forever.
Thomas 'Kidso' Reilly RIP
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