Shooting Crows: Mass Murder, State Collusion and Press Freedom

by Trevor Birney

Everyone knows where they were when Ray Houghton outfoxed the Italian goalkeeper in the 1994 World Cup finals. Every television in the country was tuned in to the match, and The Heights Bar in Loughinisland, Co. Down was no exception. But two miles down the road, three men with no interest in Ireland’s footballing progress were planning a deadly massacre. Shortly after half-time they burst through the door of the bar and opened fire, spraying bullets indiscriminately. As they fled the scene, six innocent men lay dead or dying.

In 2017 journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey produced a groundbreaking documentary, No Stone Unturned, about Loughinisland and allegations of collusion between the RUC and the loyalist terrorists behind the attack. However, it was Birney and McCaffrey, not the perpetrators of violence who then found themselves the target of PSNI anger.

Shooting Crows tells a shocking story of collusion and betrayal, and of a State still willing to corrupt justice and persecute the innocent to hide the sins of its past.

Genres: Ireland, Nonfiction, History, Audiobook

336 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2024

Reviews

[Colin Power · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quite incredible story (in parts) clearly setting out the level of collusion between parts of the British and Northern Irish state (most notably the RUC) and loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, and how elements of the PSNI and Northern Ireland establishment have tried to shut down any attempt to bring transparency, accountability and justice for that collusion.

My main criticism is that the first part of the book drags a bit, as it focuses on a broad history of Northern Ireland and the Troubles rather than the real value of the book in dealing with the massacre in Loughinisland itself - the tragic impact of the event, the collusion that allowed it to happen, and the aftermath of Birney and McCaffrey's attempts to uncover and publish the truth.

The second part of the book is much stronger, but I often find when journalists write a book like this there is a tendency towards including as much detail as possible at the expense of narrative and the rhythm of the writing. It becomes a piece of journalism rather than a piece of writing. This is not necessarily a criticism if that is the intention of the book, but inherently does make for a more challenging read. Although this book does indeed have that tendency in parts, the events as set out are more than dramatic enough to carry your attention.

Recommended for anyone with an interest in the Troubles, Northern Irish politics and modern-day attempts at transparency and accountability in both of those spheres.

[Brian Slocum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shooting Crows is a gripping work of investigative writing that traces the build-up, the event, and the tragic aftermath of the Loughinisland Massacre in rural South Down. On a summer evening in 1994, as Ireland faced Italy in the World Cup, pubs across the island overflowed with fans. But at the Heights Bar, loyalist gunmen had other plans: they stormed inside and opened fire on anyone who dared cheer for Ireland.

Trevor Birney’s book goes beyond recounting the atrocity. It uncovers deep collusion between loyalist killers and the British state, shattering the simplistic narrative that The Troubles was merely a clash of two sectarian communities. Drawing on damning evidence, Birney reveals that British intelligence not only had prior knowledge of the massacre but also had an agent operating among the killers. In choosing to prioritise information-gathering over the lives of innocent Catholics, the state stands exposed in one of the conflict’s most chilling betrayals.

Yet the story does not end in 1994. Birney also documents his own struggle for justice decades later, detailing how he and his colleague were targeted for daring to expose state culpability. What emerges is not just a history of a single massacre, but a stark portrait of how far the British government was willing to go to silence truth-seekers and protect its interests.

This is more than a book about one night of horror. It is a defining work on Northern Irish history, a vital read for anyone seeking to understand The Troubles and the long shadow the conflict continues to cast over the people of Northern Ireland.

[Caoimhin Gabhann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a page turner! You literally want to see what happen's next. Barry Mc Cafferty and Trevor Birney deserve an award for their journalistic instincts. There incredible drive to learn the truth and perserverence through their arrest, legal challenges and aquittal. This was Collusion between Loyalist paramiliteries and the RUC, PSNI and other state actors uncovered and reported on in an incredible detail. These men and the families of Loughinisland were failed time and time again by those entrusted to help them. Instead of proactively hunting down those that they knew who were responsible for the Loughinsland massacre the PSNI went after those that dare uncover the truth.

Collusion was/is no Illusion. I have not seen the Documentary "No Stone left Unturned" yet. My personal preference is to read stories than watch them on the tv and this book is an amazing insight into the planning, preparation and attack on the bar in Loughinisland in June 1994. Ironically the title "No stone left unturned" was what one of the RUC officer told the families in the aftermath of the South Down UVF atrocity. He could have meant "No Stone turned", they had known that an attack was imminent. They knew who was responsible for the attack! The wife off one of the murderers wrote letters and phonecalls admitting her husbands role in the massacre. Incredibly they are still together today (running a coffee trailer on the road out of Newcastle). I will be avoiding that on my Mourne hikes. The same wife had full access to the Newcastle police station as a cleaner during that time.

This is a story that is still not finished! It included Police ombudsmen, High Court judges, chief constables. MI5 and Prime Ministers. It went to the top. At the heart of it was a group of men who went to watch a football match in 1994, men shot down in cold blood and the decades of cover up to protect police informants. It is a shocking story but I think a very necessary read to all those that think the police were innocent bystanders in a very dark conflict.

The Legacy Act that the British Government is trying to currently push through is to silence those afflicted and protect those who worked for them! As Trevor Birney finishes his book with " It appears that the Post Conflict strategy adopted by the British governenment is to shut down all of those who seek truth, be they victims families, the OPONI or , indeed journalists. They want to protect the dominant narrative : it was all a dirty war between two warring sectarian factions".

[Peter Thew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story of the Loughinisland massacre, when six men, watching the Ireland/Italy World Cup match in New York, were gunned down in Heights Bar just outside the village. The book starts slowly, recounting the various atrocities of the Troubles, but picks up pace as it gets to the early 1990s and those involved in this attack. Whilst the RUC made all the appropriate sympathetic noises, it quickly became clear that they were doing very little to uncover the perpetrators. Briney and his colleague Barry McCaffery kept digging away, convinced the authorities were covering up and blocking the investigation. Eventually, they made a documentary film, No Stone Unturned, which told as much of the story of the collusion between Special Branch personnel and the RUC as they had uncovered. They were subsequently arrested and threatened with charges under the Official Secrets Act for their investigations.
In an age when apparently liberal democratic governments are attempting to suppress the media, this is an important book in just how close to home the problem is,

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "Say Nothing" before going to Ireland. It's well worth reading. However, my guide in Belfast, when I asked him about it, called it a pack of lies. If I wanted to read the truth, I should read "Shooting Crows". I just finished it. If you are interested in truth, corruption in places of authority over people, a different view of 'The Troubles', injustices that can be and are visited upon innocent people, I suggest this is well worth your time. I think it even has some comments on our time today in this country at least regarding freedom of the press and free speech. It will take you the full range of your emotions.

[Eoin Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story. The British state and its institutions carried out a dirty war in the north and are still hellbent on covering up their criminal activities. Huge respect to the journalists who took on the status quo and in doing so risked their own liberty. Collusion is not an illusion - required reading.

[Dsd · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great books on the subject of Northern Ireland's Troubles era. This is another one.

It's better than the documentary, no stone unturned, but that's because the book goes into the aftermath of the showing of the documentary.

The plot: terrorist's kill many, did the police know? probably. police arrest docu makers instead.

[Kitty McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 1 of book was about history of the trouble, repetitive. I heard it all before, I dragged myself through reading this part. Part 2, I could not leave the book down, it cover collusion and Loughinisland. Thoroughly enjoyed Part 2.

[Bearach O · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the second half of the book very interesting. Small error on page 223 saying that Ireland have not qualified for a World Cup since 1994...all who remember the drama of Saipan in 2002 can attest differently.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 this book lays out what happened to the journalists who wanted to make a film about the Loughinisland murders. The book discusses collusion with startling revelations. I would say this is essential reading for everyone in society.

[Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shocking account of collusion in the north of Ireland and the harassment of journalists

[Robin Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when you think the English can’t possibly get more corrupt and evil!!!!!

The first half of this was a bit of a drag but part two was absolutely exceptional.

[Jamie Bookboy Fitzpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collusion ain’t no illusion boyyyy