Ireland's OWN Robert Hamill

Ireland's OWN: Robert Hamill

On 8 May 1997, a 25-year-old father of two Robert Hamill (a third child was born after his death) died from injuries received from an attack on him in Portadown city centre on 27 April 1997. A gang of more than 30 loyalists savagely beat and kicked Robert Hamill and Gregory Girvan while their two female companions attempted to intervene.

An eyewitness said Robert Hamill was "danced on" and called a "Fenian bastard" by members of the 30-strong mob as he lay on the ground just 15 feet from four police officers in an RUC Land Rover. When six men were finally arrested after Robert's death, five of them were almost instantly released without charges. The sixth has has still not faced prosecution. And, the RUC (now known as the PSNI) remains unaccountable for allowing a defenseless man to be pummeled to death in their presence.

—by Míchealín Daugherty

Robert Hamill with Son

Where’s Robert now?
—by D Chambers

“Where’s Robert now?” The rogues called
To the lady and her children who were walking by
But a silent shadow shelters them
And with a breeze wipes the tear from her eye
She smiles at the breeze and lovingly thinks of him

“Where’s Robert now? In Heaven!” says a saint
Talking to her sister about the son now lost to her
Then a hidden hand holds her near
And with quiet consolation keeps her hope sure
That justice will prevail, of that there is no need to fear

“Where’s Robert now?” the cowards repeat,
As they laugh wickedly at the morbid joke
Then a creepy calm creates a spine-chill
And in torrid silence, private demons begin to poke
At each of the four supposed protectors with a coward’s quill

“Where’s Robert now?” He is here
Though no longer shackled by flesh or bone
He’s a sad silent specter to the world
But even still his spirit protects and shelters his own
And calms their fears when threatening insults are hurled

“Where’s Robert now?” He’s in a place
Where those who sent him will never know
From the heavenly home he now dwells
He smiles at his family’s joy and cries at their woe
But the rogues who sent him will dwell in the worst of the Nine Hells