We’ve had a string of really great dramas inspired by true life stories in the last year from I Fought The Law to The Hack, and now the latest one to grab our attention is Say Nothing which comes out on Channel 4 tonight.
The nine-part drama is inspired by the book of the same name by journalist Patrick Radden Keefe and tells a fictionalised version of the real story of the people living in Belfast during the Troubles across the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
It also hones in on the murder of Jean McConville in December 1972 and three other real life figures from that time – Dolours Price a high ranking member of the IRA, former IRA member Brendan Hughes, and former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, who has always insisted he has never had anything to do with the IRA.
So what is the true story that inspired Say Nothing? Here’s all the details you need to know.
Channel 4
The true story of Jean McConville that inspired Say Nothing
Say Nothing is based on Patrick Radden Keefe’s investigative book of the same name. It is essentially an overview of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, starting from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Its main focus is on the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972. McConville was a mother to 10 children who had converted from Protestantism to Catholicism after marrying her husband Arthur. Following her husband’s death early in 1972, Jean was later abducted and murdered in December that year by the IRA and killed with a shot in the back of the head.
At the time the IRA denied any involvement, however after the signing of the Good Friday agreement in 1998, they admitted to her death and claimed she had been killed because she was allegedly passing information to the British Army in exchange for money. However, a report by the Police Ombudsman found no evidence to suggest this. Her remains weren’t recovered until 2003.
The true story of Dolours and Marian Price
Sisters Dolours and Marian Price are also key parts of the series Say Nothing, and they are based on the real life sisters of the same name. The siblings were part of the IRA (Irish Republican Army) and Dolours joined a sub-group called The Unknowns who were tasked with transporting accused traitors across the border into the Republic of Ireland.
Dolours claimed herself, Pat McClure and an unnamed third member were given the task of killing Jean McConville. However, it was the third unnamed member who carried out the murder in the end.
In 1973 the sisters were arrested in relation to car bombings that took place in London and in 1980 and 1981 they were later released on humanitarian grounds due to their life-threatening anorexia.
After her release Dolours went onto marry the actor Stephen Rea and the pair had two sons. They divorced in 2003 and Dolours died 10 years later in 2013. Her sister Marian is still alive.
The true story of Brendan Hughes
Another principal plot in Say Nothing explores the life of Brendan Hughes. Hughes was a commanding officer in the IRA and the main organiser of the Bloody Friday attack in 1972.
He was later arrested a year later but escaped in a rolled up mattress. He went onto get rearrested and was sentenced to 15 years, plus an extra five for assaulting a prison officer.
During his time in prison in 1980 he led a hunger strike along with six other Republican prisoners. The strike lasted for 53 days.
Brendan was released from prison in 1986 and was initially staying with Gerry Adams, however later on Brendan would become critical of Adams. Hughes ended up dying in 2008 following a chest infection.
The true story of Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams, who is still alive, is the former leader of political party Sinn Féin serving as it’s leader from 1983 to 2018, and another key figure that is focused on during Say Nothing.
Over the years he has been accused of being part of the IRA, however he has always denied this and any involvement with the organisation.
In 2014 he was questioned by the police for four days in association with Jean McConville’s death. He was released without charge and has always denied any involvement in her death and abduction.
Four years later he ended up standing down as the leader of Sinn Féin.
Say Nothing starts on Channel 4 tonight
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