Northern Ireland

Lost Lives must retain independence says co-author Brian Feeney

Lost Lives authors Brian Feeney, David McVea, David McKittrick, Chris Thornton and Seamus Kelters
Lost Lives authors Brian Feeney, David McVea, David McKittrick, Chris Thornton and Seamus Kelters Lost Lives authors Brian Feeney, David McVea, David McKittrick, Chris Thornton and Seamus Kelters

LOST Lives co-author Brian Feeney has said "no government" will ever be given publication rights for the book that chronicles all those who died during the Troubles.

Following a question in the Dáil from Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan last week, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Colm Brophy said the Irish government would explore ways to ensure Lost Lives "remains available for the future", adding that this could involve a "collaborative effort" with the Stormont executive.

However, Mr Feeney, who wrote the book along with David McKittrick, Seamus Kelters, Chris Thornton and David McVea, said this is "not going to happen".

"The strength of Lost Lives is that it is not contentious, but if politicians got their hands on it it would be," the historian and Irish News columnist said.

"We are all agreed it's not going to happen, no government is going to get their hands on the rights.

"If they did there would be edits and there would be stealth edits. You'd have a government minister concerned about one entry and then another would come along and express concern about a different entry.

"Furthermore the government would do some breast-beating foreword and it would become contentious and political and that's not going to happen."

The book was first published in 1999 after years of research, recording the stories of more than 3,700 deaths during the conflict.

It has had four editions, the last covering killings up to 2006, but is currently out of print.

Once reported to be the most shoplifted book in Belfast, second-hand copies can now cost hundreds of pounds.

Last year a film was produced based on the work, narrated by prominent voices including Liam Neeson, Ciarán Hinds, Kenneth Branagh and Adrian Dunbar.

Seamus Kelters and Chris Thornton, both former Irish News reporters, had originally planned to document all murders in north Belfast.

Mr Feeney had a kept a database of killings in the constituency, but once work started on the project it grew.

They were joined by David McKittrick, who was the Ireland correspondent for The Independent newspaper in London at the time, and academic author David McVea.

Mr Feeney said any updated version would have to take account of the many inquests, inquiries and other reports since the book was first published.

He said the original research "took years and at the time we didn't know how it would be received".

"It's important because it's the only memorial that contains everybody. It's all inclusive and completely comprehensive."