Screen Two (1985–2002): Season 13, Episode 4 - The Precious Blood - full transcript
[ethereal music]
[bricks bang]
[alarm rings]
Shit.
Here!
Run, run.
[dog barks]
Tea time, Rosie.
It was tonight.
Yeah, I know.
That's why I brought
the biscuits.
I knew you'd forget.
[people singing]
* And the story of
you Lord Jesus *
* Will be worshipped
in every land *
* Someday we'll
hear the trumpets *
* Someday we'll hear the song *
* When the story
of you Lord Jesus *
* Will be worshipped
in every land *
* Will be worshipped
in every land *
* Will be worshipped
in every land *
Who says the devil has
all the best tunes, eh?
[audience chuckles]
The truth is I didn't want
to be a born-again Christian.
I was Billy.
A hard man, a Protestant.
That was Christian enough.
Do you know what I thought?
I thought born-again
Christians were sissies.
Nancy boys, you know?
I remember them from
when I was a kid,
they usually wore
blazers and badges.
Nice grey flannels, hair
in a nice side shed.
And they'd stand up and tell
you what bad boys they'd been.
The terrible things they'd done,
like hiding their
granny's reading glasses,
or drop an extra couple of
sugar lumps in the Vicar's tea
when he came to visit.
When I thought of my sins,
I was in pain and desperation
because I thought I
was beyond forgiveness.
Beyond redemption.
It took my wife, Susan,
who'd already found
the Lord a long time
to convince me that
I could be saved,
that I could be forgiven
for the terrible
sins I had committed.
My old granny didn't
wear reading glasses.
And even if the
Vicar had visited,
we weren't a sugar
lumps sort of family.
[people chuckle]
See you tomorrow.
You were wonderful.
Did I go on a bit?
Did I gabble?
No, you didn't.
Was it too light?
'Cause I tried not
to be too heavy.
Billy, it was perfect.
You've heard people,
everybody loved it.
Everybody loved you.
The sin of pride.
The sin of false modesty.
There's no such sin.
Is there?
Are yous in?
[Girl] Here.
John?
Yeah.
In the wake of the elections
and as all party talks begin
are Sinn Fein sensitive to
the feelings of the families
of people murdered during
the years of violence?
Of course we are sensitive
to people's feelings.
Sinn Fein members
themselves have suffered
but we're looking
to the future now.
The past has got
to be put behind us
and issues like the prisoners
have got to be looked at.
We can't be selective when
we're looking at
people's suffering.
You know nothing
about suffering.
Nothing.
You done caused all this
and now you want us to forget?
Who were you talkin' to?
Did you hear that?
They want us to forget.
I thought you'd washed this.
It's over 20 years of
shooting and bombing
and refusing to
listen to anybody.
I told you I needed it.
We're expected to forget
about it in five minutes.
I wanted to wear this tonight.
Peace process.
Peace won't bring
your father back.
Ma?
What are you on me about?
I told you to wash this.
You promised.
I'm talking about your father.
Do you not know
what night it is?
[dramatic music]
There are plenty of
other t-shirts upstairs.
If you go and have a look.
I wanted this one.
Not the ones in
the bloody drawer.
Come back here, John.
Come back and pick this up.
[door buzzes]
Yes, madame.
How can I help ya?
I'd like to see someone, please.
I'd like to know who
murdered my husband.
Your husband's been murdered.
Yes.
The IRA came in
and shot him dead
in the bed beside me.
Shit.
Sorry for keeping
you waitin', ma'am.
How can we help you?
The IRA murdered my husband.
They came in through
our bedroom window
and shot him dead in
the bed beside me.
I was pregnant.
Pregnant?
With my daughter, our daughter.
When did this happen, missus?
12 Years ago last night.
12 Years ago?
For Christ sake we thought
the bloody ceasefire
was broken down again.
Sorry, missus.
You just gave us
a bit of fright.
Did you report it?
Sammy.
What was your husband's name?
Paul Willis.
We lived at 67 Kilderry Street.
Is that north area?
And you are?
Mrs. Willis.
I meant your Christian name.
Rosie.
Rosie.
Is that short for Rosemary?
Rosheen.
I was Protestant.
A mixed marriage?
Yes, he was a man
and I was a woman.
Now you leave it with us Missus.
Even if it isn't in our area,
we check to find and
see where we are on it.
We don't close murder
files until they're solved.
The man 12 years ago.
He'll be dead himself by now.
I don't care.
I just want to know
who he was or is.
You've had long enough.
I'll go through whatever we have
and we'll let you know.
If you you'd like to
leave your phone number
or your address
at the front desk,
where we can contact you.
That was one of them on
the television last night
talking about getting
their prisoners out.
That's all you ever
hear these days.
Get the killers out.
Well they're hardly going to
put my husband's killer away
are they after lettin'
all the others out?
I understand how you feel.
But as my colleague points out,
if the killer was
an IRA activist,
he could very well be
dead himself by now.
But I know you'd
still like to know.
Right.
There's a good essay
title for your Sammy.
In 500 words describe the
concept of peace with justice.
12 years ago I was a scrum half
and we won the
school's cup final.
Nice legs.
[Detective] What's
that got to do with it?
It's an observation.
I'm a detective.
So what do we do?
Why don't we get the name
of some Provo activist
in that area who
was killed six or
seven years ago?
Don't be such a cynical bastard.
Why not?
If it puts her mind at rest,
it gives her a bit of peace.
Where's the harm?
Where's the harm?
Do you want your balls
in the chief constable's
trophy cabinet preserved
preserved in a
political solution?
[men laugh]
[man claps]
Come on, come on, come on.
If I turned the heatin' off,
you'd all freeze to death.
Barry McGuiggan,
eat your heart out.
Straighten your arms.
That's it.
Good efforts.
Now try to put some
weight on the bar.
Harold, what are you doing?
You're punching with your arms.
What I have told
you about balance?
Poise, weight.
Put your weight
behind the punch.
Go on.
No, no, you're off balance.
I have decent
countered flatten ya.
I'm only doin' it
for the exercise.
I'm not going to fight anybody.
So you might as
well do it right.
Here I'll show you.
I don't want you to show me.
I told you.
I was only messin'.
Billy, you can
demonstrate on me.
Alright stand here and watch.
Here.
Now just very gently now Sam.
See if you want
to throw a punch,
you want to put your body
weight behind the punch
and you want to defend yourself
against your opponents
counterpunch.
Right?
Do ya understand?
Sorry I got carried away.
See if that had connected,
I've been carried away.
Just that close.
He'd of turned the other
cheek I'd have clipped him.
He got good reflexes, your da.
Aye.
A fighter's instincts.
Why do you not like him?
I do like him it's just...
Sandra, likes him, don't ya?
[keys click]
I brought you some
coffee, Billy.
Thank you.
Any chocolate biscuits?
They make you fat.
I'm sure he gets plenty
of exercise typin'.
Do you seriously want biscuits?
Please, two.
Do you want anything, Billy?
Coffee and your smile's
enough for me, Sandra.
You know Turk, when
you're an old fella,
you're going to get
arthritis in that finger.
Did you write that?
Of course.
All of it?
Every word.
More than once.
Sometimes hundreds of times.
No wonder you're
always cracking jokes.
And you believe it?
All of it, every word?
I believe God's word
but it doesn't always
just mean what it says.
You'll have to interpret it.
Oh, you mean make it up?
No, I don't.
What were you before Turk?
Younger.
What do you mean why?
If they couldn't
catch them then,
what makes you think
they're going to be able
to catch them now
after all this time?
Well if someone had
shot your Brandon,
wouldn't you want
to know who it was?
Only the address with
a letter of thanks.
They make me sick
another peace process.
Now they're saying that even
if they do hand in their guns,
they won't be doing
forensic on them.
Honest to God soon
they'd be asking us
to apologise to them
for being their victims.
So what makes ya think
they're gonna look?
Oh I got them lookin'
don't you worry.
I mean, what must young
ones like my John think?
I know it's silly and
what he does is wrong,
but his father's been murdered,
and no one's ever
been caught for it.
Is that justice?
[melancholy music]
Davie, is it?
Davie Bill?
Billy.
Billy McVea, Billy
friggin' McVea.
Put it there eh son.
Here it's alright, buddy.
There's no holes in the pocket.
You're a bit of a mess, Davie.
I thought you'd be alright.
I will they gave
me another chance.
I tell them the
old woman's dead.
There's no old woman dead
when we were at school.
Yeah, Tom Wallace
doesn't know that.
And what if finds out?
Well how's he going
to find out, bud?
Are you gonna tell him?
I'm not the informer.
[scoffs] I keep this clean, bud.
I'll be alright.
He put me away, you know?
Seven years.
Aye and what was that for?
The only crime was loyalty.
You were some scored though, eh?
Billy, Turk, Davie, and Maury.
Best fuckin' score
in the UVF, boy.
Do you remember?
I'm born again, Davie.
I found the Lord.
[man laughs]
No way to hell.
I have accepted Jesus Christ
as my personal saviour.
Billy McVea, the Christian.
Bollocks.
Get yourself somethin'
to eat, Davie.
The Lord is my
Shepherd, Billy eh?
The best fucking scorer
in the UVF, McVea.
Do you remember?
Help the UVF.
[dramatic music]
[fire sizzles]
Well, well, well
the Reverend McVea.
I'm not quite a Reverend, Tom.
You're babbling on.
Is it an exorcism or somethin'?
No, I was just passing.
It's been a long time since
I've been down the road.
Get the Reverend an
orange juice, Davie.
Lads.
No, it's strange.
Sometimes our circumstances
conspire, you know,
and things come into your mind.
That's called memory, Billy
and we've all got it.
Oh I've been seeing
Davie Bell around.
He's a bit of a mess, isn't he?
Well he's just lost his mother.
Oh, he lost his mother
a long time ago.
She had a brain haemorrhage
when we were at school.
Sit down, Billy.
It was decent givin'
it back to him.
Oh I'm a decent mom
if you were straight with me.
Now I don't want him hurt.
Jeremy.
[menacing music]
[phone rings]
Go get the phone.
Hello?
Alice.
I'm just ringin' love
'cause we're not be
able to make it tonight.
No, I'm really sorry.
It's just Albert
has to work late.
Pardon?
Ah.
I'd love to Susan,
but you know him,
he expects the hot meal
sat down in front of him.
I keep telling him it's
a nose bag he needs,
but tell Billy not to worry.
We'll get there another night.
Right?
Right, right.
Bye-bye.
Liar.
That was your
mother on the phone.
She says they can't come
but they will come
another night.
Havin' me tell lies for ya.
I never asked you to
tell no lies for me.
I told you to tell him
I got better things
to do after a hard day's
work to listen to him rantin'
and ravin' about
hell and damnation.
Jesus Christ this,
and Jesus Christ that.
Jesus created shit
accordin' to that fella.
Dirty blasphemin'.
You're gonna get one of us
struck down one of these days.
You just wait.
Aye, I'm quaking in the boots.
After puttin' up with your
cooking for all these years,
I've little to fear
from fire and brimstone.
Harold and Joanne with ya?
Harold was wondering-
No.
He does have a lot
of homework, Billy.
Does he?
Well he can rise at five
in the morning with me.
He did go to the
club this afternoon.
Don't try and say it's my fault.
He didn't do his homework.
He is trying, Billy.
That's him tryin' is it?
He doesn't like that
and I don't want him to box.
He wasn't boxing Susan.
He was boxing training
and I wanted him to do it right.
That's what I do.
I try to instruct people
to do things properly.
Do I instruct everyone else
and let Harold as he pleases?
Well did you have
to tell him off
in front of all the others?
I didn't tell them off.
I was instructin' him.
I was treating them
exactly like everybody else
and he flared up.
I can't win with him, can I?
It's not a matter
of winnin', Billy.
He is your son.
I washed out that
t-shirt for you today.
Oh, thanks.
I'm sorry.
It's just...
I also washed your
football stuff.
Right.
Thanks.
What are you trying
to do to me, John?
What?
The stuff under your bed.
Stuff?
The stuff under your bed.
Don't act stupid.
I'm looking after
it for somebody.
Ahmed.
Just mindin' it.
I see you didn't steal it.
No.
Don't lie to me.
I'm sick of it.
Do you hear me?
I'm sick of it.
I'm not lyin'.
I'm looking after
it for somebody.
Who for?
Ahmed.
Who, which Ahmed?
Ma.
Don't you ma me.
Have I not enough to put up with
and today of all days?
What is wrong with you?
He was my da.
I'm the one who wiped
the blood from your face.
Remember?
He'd be ashamed of you.
You've no right to be
sneaking in my stuff.
It's my room and it's private.
It wasn't snooping.
I was collecting your washin'.
My football stuff
didn't need washin'.
I haven't played
football for months.
I'm not concerned with whether
you're playing football or not.
I'm concerned with your
thievin' and lyin'.
You've been bringin'
the police to my door.
You'll end up in prison.
So that's my business.
I'm not asking you to
serve my sentence for me.
Don't you hit me.
If I start on you
son, I'll kill you.
Will ya?
Come on then.
Come on.
Don't you put your
fists up to me.
Don't you dare.
Well don't you hit me.
I'm warning you.
You're father'd
be ashamed of you.
Do you hear me?
[phone rings]
Hi, Rosie.
Come on in.
You alright?
[boy sighs]
And so does ma.
I mean that's what did it.
God love him.
He thought sleeping downstairs
was getting his
own back on leave.
[mother chuckles]
Hello, Auntie Joan.
Hey, John.
I think your ma should get
swing doors put in here.
Ma, I'll need that stuff.
I burnt it.
Ma, stop messin'.
I'm meetin' the lads, please.
I'll take it all away.
I found a box of
stolen cigarettes
and stuff underneath his bed.
So I burnt it.
Which is right.
Have you no bloody sense, John?
Ma, I need that stuff.
Stop messing.
Where is it?
I told you I burnt it.
I kill you.
I'll wreck this house
if you don't give it to me.
I'm meetin' the lads.
Come on.
You send the lads
over here, son,
and I'll tell them where it is.
Tell me where it is.
Tell me.
Put that vase down, John.
[water splashes]
You bitch.
[glass shatters]
Get back here, John.
You'll not rest 'til
you're locked up.
I'll be up there
with their friends.
Your [faintly speaking]
friends who murdered my da.
Fenian bitch.
Wait 'til I get my hands
on you you wee bastard.
What are you lookin' at?
Just piss off and mind
your own business.
Joan, come in.
I have to live here.
Imagine him callin'
me a Fenianer.
[people clamouring]
Come on, come on
you wee bastard.
Come on you bastard.
He knows.
He knows.
It isn't me who judges you.
It isn't you who judges me.
It's God who judges us all.
When you confess
your sins to God,
you're not telling Him
things He doesn't know.
God knows you've sinned.
God knows the
nature of your sin.
He knows the date, the day.
He knows the time
of day of that sin.
He knows how often you
committed that sin.
When you confess to God,
you're not telling him things
he doesn't know.
You're not saying to him,
"God, I want you to know this."
God knows.
You're saying, "God, I want
to acknowledge the fact
"that I now know
that I've sinned.
"I now know that
I've done wrong."
[Man] Jesus is near,
praise the Lord.
I've sinned against your laws,
your commandments and now
I want to beg you
for your forgiveness.
[Man] Oh Lord, I
apologise for my sins.
I want to wash myself clean
in the blood of the lamb.
Clean in the blood
your son, Jesus Christ
shed for us on the cross.
[All] UVF, UVF, UVF, UVF, UVF!
Bless you, Lord.
Bless you.
Praise the Lord.
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord,
Lord, Lord, Lord!
Ah, shit.
That's enough.
Anybody think you
never seen buns before.
Greed is one of the
seven deadly sins.
And so is envy.
Your brother certainly
didn't work up an appetite
with a fervour of his worship.
Look, Harold who's
gonna eat that now
after you've been
pawin' all over it?
Well I wanted it.
Hey, fella, the meetin's over.
Come on.
Can I use the toilet?
Can I have a drink of water?
Just turn it off.
That's alright, Turk.
Come in.
Come in.
Oh you're hurt.
Here, sit down.
He said he wanted
[faintly speaking].
I just wanted to go
for a drink of water.
Joanne, go and fetch a
glass of water, please.
Would you like a cup of tea?
That'd be great.
Help yourself to a
sandwich or a wee bun.
Thanks.
That knee looks nasty.
It needs lookin' at.
Maybe we should have a look.
Can you get and turn
your leg up over it?
It's alright.
I'll do it at home.
Thanks.
What happened?
I fell.
How?
Harold.
How do you usually fall?
I don't usually fall.
I was being chased by a Fenian
by a Catholic mob.
Over here?
They must've chased
ya for a bit.
What's your name?
I'm John.
Well my name is Billy.
This is my wife, Susan
and Joanne, Harold.
Have a wee bun, John.
Go on, son.
We've all finished.
My Paul's always the same.
But the one who murdered
him is growing older.
I look out there and I see them
all wandering around
staggerin' about.
And I think my Paul
should be there.
I can't tell you how
much that hurts me, Joan.
It's not hurting him.
Whoever he is, wherever he is.
They're not sorry, Rosie.
And they're not apologising.
But they're my people.
I'm one of 'em.
No, you're not.
You married a Protestant.
You'd lived in a
Protestant area.
You brought your children
up as Protestants.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I committed a major crime did I?
I'm not saying that
but you made a choice Rosie
and come on you don't
even come into our area.
You won't come near us.
Because somebody
in there murdered
my husband for God's sake.
In 12 years, Rosie
you haven't set
foot inside my door,
not once in 12 years
and I'm your sister.
I didn't kill Paul
and neither did my children.
Most of the people at West
Belfast regret the killin's.
They really do but
not in the way you do
or in the way you want them to.
Poor fella, poor wee girl.
It's a shame.
That's all you'll get.
Push 'em and you'll
have hundreds of Liam's
and Shaun's, and Teresa's
who've suffered too.
Most of names and Shauns
and Teresas were involved.
They're in the IRA.
The only thing my husband was
in was bed for God's sake.
Rosie, you want them hangin'
at the end of a rope.
That's the only thing that's
really going to satisfy you,
but it's not going to happen.
Whatever it is not
going to happen.
I want a ceasefire that lasts
for my kids' sake.
For our kids' sake.
Oh, I see.
Sit there Rosie and
suffer in silence.
If that's what's
necessary for our kids,
well then yes.
But you've suffered.
You've suffered for
12 years, Rosie.
And there's no rebate on that.
Remember to clean and bathe
that as soon as you get in.
I will.
Thanks for the lift.
No problem.
Are you coming to the boxin'?
Yeah, definitely.
Because even if you don't box,
the training itself
is good for strength
and fitness, right?
Night, John.
Alright.
See ya.
[boy grimaces]
Shut up, John and
don't be such a baby.
Baby?
I'd love to see
you if it was you.
I would've been straight
up to the hospital
if it had been me.
And how? [grunts]
Ah shit.
Don't swear.
It hurts.
It could be tetanus.
Don't be daft.
It could be.
We did it in first
aid, you have to get
your whole nail took off.
Holly.
I thought you said
you cleaned this.
It was a wee bit
of grit in there.
A boy in our school dived
on his kneecap in a UDA
and he lost leg.
Ma, will you tell
her to shut up?
Why didn't you go
up to the hospital?
How could I have?
[boy grunts]
Got it.
Right.
I'll just put this on for now.
Honestly, John.
I don't know what I got to
come home to next with you.
Ma, I fell.
Anybody can fall.
Not in as many ways
as you, they can't.
And how did you meet this
man who gave you the lift?
I've told you.
I just went in
for a drink of water.
He's a preacher.
Why didn't he take you
up to the hospital?
While he was at it?
It was good enough of them
to give me a lift at all.
Right off to bed
or none of us will
be up in the morning.
We deliver ourselves
into your care dear Lord
for tonight for all our
nights and forevermore, amen.
Amen.
You were wonderful
tonight, Billy.
Really wonderful.
Thanks.
I know you were
annoyed with Harold,
but we've got to
let him go, Billy
and then he'll come back to us.
He's 16, Susan,
do you know what's out there?
Satan hasn't
declared a ceasefire.
It doesn't apply to the
criminals, the drug dealers,
all the others.
I know love, but we have to.
Discipline parental
responsibility.
I was up to my neck
in all kinds of things
from the age of 15.
I was carrying a gun at
16, handling explosives.
I know what you were doing.
-Do you, Susan?
-I do.
You don't know.
You said it yourself tonight.
God knows.
And he has forgiven you,
but I might not be able to.
I'm not God.
If you love me,
you must love me as I am.
I do love you as you are,
but I'm a wife and a mother,
and I pray to God for strength
but I'm not sure
how much I have.
If you were to go away,
I couldn't cope.
I couldn't survive it.
Not now I couldn't.
[melancholy music]
I'd love to find all the
people who have suffered
as a result of my actions.
I'd love to find them all.
Put them in a room
and make my testimony to them.
But I can't do that, Susan.
Come on to bed, love.
The heat is turned off.
You'll catch cold
standing there.
[gun blasts]
Again, again.
Harder, move.
One, two, three.
That's it.
Flexibility, flexibility.
One, two, three.
That's it.
Duck and swing, duck and swing.
One, two, three.
Over the top.
That's it, that's it.
Not bad.
Not bad at all.
Remember keep your guard up here
and don't be exposed down there.
Get in the way of good habits.
Once those defensive
instincts were established,
they never leave you understand?
Yeah.
You understand me?
Yeah, right.
Oye.
Good lad.
Hey John, Sandra wants
you to teach her.
Midge, say you.
You wanna box?
I'm not very good at all.
That doesn't matter.
I'll just show you.
Come on.
I won't hurt ya.
That's what Vicar said
to the virgin. [chuckles]
Come on, put your gloves up.
You're wide open.
That's for Billy.
Like this.
I coulda put you away by now.
Duck!
Move!
Movin' targets are
hard to hit you see.
Do you think you
got the hang of it?
Wanna try a bit?
I'm not very good though.
That's not what Billy says.
Don't worry.
I'll go easy on you.
[girl chuckles]
[people cheer and clap]
What are you pairin' at?
He's no defence.
No, it's you that
has no defence.
It's not funny.
I told you before.
I've told you all
before you don't
ever fight unsupervised ever.
Do you hear me?
No, I've gone deaf.
He wanted to teach me.
Teach you?
He's only learned themself.
Aye he learned
somethin' today alright.
Take those gloves off Sandra.
You look ridiculous.
They were two peach punches,
but like peaches.
Go and occupy yourself
with something, Midge.
Come on.
Just follow my finger.
How many fingers
am I holdin' up?
Three.
How many now?
Three.
Now.
Two.
Now.
Four.
Got a sore head?
Yeah.
You dizzy?
Not now.
You alright?
Listen, I gotta go make my teas.
Thinks ya can wallop
Big Sandra, eh?
I wouldn't take her on.
She told me she couldn't box.
She can't.
Well not much but she can take
and you can't hurt her.
See if hit her
with a sledgehammer
she'll turn around
and flatten you.
I've said I'm sorry
for what I said.
You're not gonna talk to me?
And say what?
God forgive me?
Well, of course that would
be a wonderful thing to say
if you meant it.
Well, I won't and I don't.
He was showing off.
He took me on and
I flattened him.
You're always with him now.
You never bother
with anybody else.
Now you sure you're alright?
Yeah, my dizziness
is all gone now.
That was nice of
her to say sorry.
She's nice.
I mean-
Before you even think about it,
read up on the prayin'
mantis, alright?
John?
Ma this is Billy.
He runs the club.
I'm very pleased to meet you.
Billy McVea.
I'm very pleased to meet you.
I've heard quite
a lot about you.
You're the man who's
going to make my son
into a world champion, are ya?
I might have even higher
ambitions for John.
John didn't fall over
again today did he?
No, I don't fall every day.
Would you like a cup
of tea, Mr. McVea?
No, I'm just going
home for my dinner.
Well, I better
not keep you then.
It was very nice to meet you.
Yeah, it's very nice you too.
Perhaps some other time
if it's still an offer.
Just pop over some
time for a cup of tea.
It's a deal, bye.
[John] Bye.
Bye.
[melancholy music]
Nice man.
He's totally different
of how I thought he'd be.
Do you like him?
He's very nice.
This sorry character could
be Mrs. Willis' bogeyman.
Michael James Patrick
Finbar O'Reilly.
As big, bad and ugly a bastard
has ever died for Ireland.
Shot dead been on
the cover of Soldier,
Saint James parade,
seven years ago.
He'll do.
Or we could try the truth.
Do you remember detective
Sergeant John Brennis?
John Brennis?
I knew John well, why?
He used to have great contacts.
Very well-placed source
in the UVF in the village
one by the name of Paul Willis
husband of Rosie Willis.
He was a small-time UVF man.
The UVF murdered him because
he was one of our informers.
Billy.
Good to see you again.
Mr. McVea.
Can I be Billy here?
Rosie.
Billy, it's my turn.
Just carry on don't mind me.
No, Midge, Midge,
hold it back for
Sandra would you?
Come around.
Why boxing?
My father was very keen.
He taught me.
He thought I was good.
I couldn't been a contender.
Marlon Brando, "On
the Waterfront."
Oh I see.
Billy, do you want me
to get your coffee?
I thought you were trainin'.
Midge is useless.
Would you like a coffee?
You say you took sugar?
No, no thanks.
Sweet enough are ya?
Like Billy.
That's what Billy thinks anyway.
Thank you, Sandra.
I am Sandra.
You're John's mother?
Yes.
Pleased to meet you.
Good boxer your wee John.
Billy thinks so anyway.
Don't ya Billy?
We haven't got all day.
Oh, I can take a punch.
Sorry a hint.
She's very keen.
He's a nice lad, John.
Your John.
I'm very fond of him.
I'm very grateful to you.
You've been a good
influence on him.
How long is it since?
12 Years, John was only four.
Same age as my own son
but Harold wasn't very
interested in what I do.
Well, he's not
into blood sports.
Disapproval?
I don't like boxing.
I don't like violence.
I'm not sure about teaching
young children to be aggressive.
Young children are aggressive,
especially in areas like this.
We see this as a way of
channelling that aggression.
Lettin' them work out
their frustrations
on a punchbag, tiring them
out with physical exercise,
and giving them a sense
of pride in their bodies,
stare them clear of
the paramilitaries.
The drugs.
And convert them?
More disapproval.
To me, God's very
like the police.
It's never there
when you need them.
God is always there
when you need him.
But you have to know
that you need him
and ask him for his help.
Well, anyway.
John's certainly
taken to all of this.
Used to be he never rose
before early afternoon.
It's not conditional.
I mean, coming to
hear me preach,
it's not a condition.
He asked.
Well he's a young lad
and he did lose his father.
But he does have
a heavenly father.
We all do.
He never did much for me.
And he says, "Suffer
the little children
"and turn the other cheek."
I only had the one husband.
Sandra, can you leave us please?
[man chuckles]
You don't do things
by half guard do ya?
You wait 12 years.
Not only is he married,
not only does he have kids,
not only is your
son's surrogate dad,
but he's a God freak.
Sounds gorgeous too.
Joan, you're terrible.
He's just a very nice man.
I know and you're just
very good friends.
He's been very good to John.
John really likes him.
He really responds to him.
The way to a woman's knickers
is through your son's affection.
It's an old tale I've told.
You've a mind like a
[faintly speaking].
I know I'm somewhat blocked.
So if he's built like a
human dynamo pass him on.
[women chuckle]
I've asked her to come in just
to give her an official gloss.
And what do ya think
we should tell her?
As much as we know.
Of course we can't tell her
that her husband was
an RUC informant.
There's no such
animal in captivity.
And when she asks
why he was murdered?
Who fuckin' knows.
These people kill each other
over a game of marbles.
Mrs. Willis, we
have as promised,
had another look at
your husband's case.
Well things are a
little different
from what we first thought.
As far as we can determine
and the evidence
is pretty strong,
your husband was
murdered by loyalists.
Not the IRA.
Our best guess is UVF.
That's based on pretty
strong evidence.
Why would the UVF want
to murder my husband?
Well, we don't know.
These groups are
pretty unstable.
We wondered if you might
know of any reason.
Why didn't you tell
us your husband was
in the UVF, Mrs. Willis?
What?
He wasn't.
Paul wasn't in anything.
I'd have known.
He didn't tell us that
your maiden name is Steward
originally from the
White Rock Road.
That your sister, Joan
McBride lives in the falls.
You knew my details.
Why are you asking
me all these things?
I told you I was a Catholic.
I'm not lying to you.
Paul wasn't in the UVF.
I'd have known.
I'd have known [cries].
It does happen.
Look, I don't think your
husband was a prime mover.
I mean, there's no evidence
to suggest he was
involved in any crime.
I think myself that
he must've joined up
when he was a young lad.
So I don't think he
was very active at all.
No, he just forgot
to mention it to you.
Forgot to stop his membership
like a book club or something.
My son hates Catholics
because he thought the
IRA murdered his father.
What am I gonna say to him?
How can I explain it?
Maybe you shouldn't tell.
Sit down, Mrs. Willis.
Sit down again for a minute.
Sammy, get her a cup
of tea and sugar.
The tea room's closed.
Oh for Christ's sake, Sammy.
I didn't know.
I didn't know.
I believe you.
Mrs. Willis, I don't know
where to start looking.
This case was thoroughly
investigated at the time.
There's nothing.
Not a whisper.
Stone-cold we have
nothing to go on.
How do you usually go
about these things?
As I say, the case was
thoroughly investigated.
For your sake and
for your son's sake.
Don't tell me to forget it.
Do you think I'd walk in
here if I could forget it?
[ethereal music]
Rosie, what are
ya doin' up here?
Oh my God, what's happened?
Rosie what's wrong?
Ma, ma.
I don't know where she is.
She's always in at this time.
Sardines then?
Great.
Food for the brain.
You sure it's
alright to use 'em?
What you mean?
Well she's not saving
them for anything?
Your mother.
Special occasions.
Saturdays.
No, perhaps not.
Stick a video in, okay?
Rosie, love, it's only
when you actually drank
this stuff that
it does any good.
It's like a double betrayal.
He betrayed me and
they betrayed him.
To be killed by your own people.
There's my stupid,
wee silly John
out fightin' with
Catholics because he thinks
they killed his da.
Ruined our lives.
I have to tell
him, don't I Joan?
Yes, Rosie.
You have to tell him.
He's got to know the truth.
These are nice pictures.
Thanks.
What about your dad?
Do you remember much about him?
Not much.
I remember the
night he was killed.
I wiped the blood and
brains from my ma's face.
This is him.
Oh yes.
I can see you in him.
The eyes, the nose.
Billy, are you alright?
You look a bit pale.
Yeah, I'm alright just-
Maybe them sardines were off.
[gun blasts and glass shatters]
Where was he killed, John?
What?
In bed.
He was shot dead in bed.
Here, here it was here?
No, in our old house.
We used to live at
67 Kilderry Street.
[gun blasts]
[man gasps]
The bloody fish.
Where are ya, ma?
Will I call an ambulance, Billy?
Oh God, Billy.
Don't die.
Dear God.
God, please don't make him die.
Just make him better.
If he lives, I'll
become a Christian.
John?
Ma, it's Billy.
He's bein' sick.
[gun blasts]
Oh dear God.
Dear Lord, Jesus, how
could you do this to me?
[woman knocks]
Mr. McVea, Billy.
Will I call an ambulance ma?
Will I?
[Rosie] Mr. McVea.
I'm fine, Mrs. Willis.
You alright?
Shall I'll get you something?
No, I have an allergy.
I'd forgotten.
It's not usually so bad.
Billy, I'm sorry.
No, no, my fault.
Entirely my fault.
Do you want to sit down?
No, I must go.
I'm late.
Are you able to drive?
Yes.
Now you listen to me, Harold.
I've got your grandda to come.
So don't you start.
It's going to be a big
night for your father.
This'll be the first
time his father
has ever been to hear him speak.
I don't want eternal life.
I'm bored enough as it is.
Honey, don't say that.
Now, don't.
I'm warnin' ya.
Harold, please.
It's going to be a
real family night.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power.
In the blood.
In the blood.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power.
In the Holy blood of the lamb.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power.
In the blood.
In the blood.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power
in the precious
blood of the lamb.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power
in the blood, in the blood.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power
in the Holy blood of the lamb.
What do you think?
Mutton dressed as lamb.
Try the other cheek.
Come on we finish
this in the kitchen.
Would you sit down
for a minute son?
I don't want to go
to no bloody meetin'.
Do not use language like that.
I hope and shame us.
I get enough of that out
of Kipper every
day in a shipyard.
Holy Joe's trolling around every
launch time shovin' at you.
Now he's creeping
up out at night.
Preaching and sermonising.
What was he doing creepin'
about the night before?
You never took any
interest in him.
You never supported him.
It's no wonder.
He's a bloody fanatic.
Always was and always will be.
[tense music]
Why would Protestants
wanna murder my da?
Maybe it was mistake.
They don't make
them sorta mistakes.
It was right in the middle
of a Protestant area.
The UVF don't make
mistakes like that.
But how da ya know it's UVF?
Just shut up, will ya?
You knew nothing about it.
You weren't even born.
I'm askin' my ma.
Ma?
You're going to drive me insane.
I don't know.
I told you, I don't know.
For 12 years, I thought he
was murdered by the IRA.
The police have told
me that was the UVF.
Probably the UVF.
Protestants anyway.
I don't know who it was.
It could have been
people next door,
people across the
street, friends,
people we knew it
coulda been friends.
But I don't know.
I don't know why.
I don't know who it was
and I don't know why son.
Please.
It's you.
You're why they did it.
You're a Fenian.
They shot him because he
was married to a Fenian.
[slaps] Bastard.
I'll kill ya.
I'll kill ya, ya wee bastard.
Mommy, please leave
-him alone.
-I'll kill ya.
I'll kill ya.
I loved him, I loved him!
Rosie.
I've never hit John before.
He thinks they shot
Paul because of me
because I was Fenian.
He was very wrong
to say that, Rosie.
To say it, but was
what he said wrong?
Yes, Rosie.
The man who pulled that
trigger on whoever he did it
for murdered Paul not you.
[spirited music]
Bastards.
[window clanks]
Yous murdered my da.
Ya wee bastard.
Murderers.
Bastards.
Bastards.
Ya fuckin' bastard.
Bastard.
[boy grimaces]
You shite.
You scumbag.
* There's power in the blood *
* Power in the blood *
* Come for a cleansing
to Calary's tide *
* There's wonderful
power in the blood *
* There is power, power,
wonder-working power *
* In the blood of the lamb *
* There is power, power
wonder-working power *
* In the precious
blood of the lamb *
* There is power, power
wonder-working power *
* In the blood of the lamb *
* There is power, power,
wonder-working power *
* In the precious
blood of the lamb *
God is light.
In him there is no
darkness at all.
We claim to have
fellowship with him yet
walk in the darkness then we lie
and do not live by the truth.
But if we walk in the light,
as He is in that light,
then we have fellowship
with one another
and the blood of Jesus
Christ His son purifies
us all from sin.
Friends, I want
to walk in light.
I want to come out
of the darkness
and live by the truth.
But sometimes that
truth is hard.
Sometimes that truth is...
Rosie.
Rosie.
[woman whispers]
What!!
What!!!
What are ya sayin'?
John, where is he?
[machine clicks]
I can still see
those little hands
wiping my face telling
me not to worry.
That he'd look after me.
I wonder if he can
feel my hands tonight.
Thumping and thumping.
Not just saying
I'd look after him.
Threatening to kill him.
I always felt...
I felt guilty.
Maybe I should've gone
to you to tell him,
to explain to him.
He likes you.
He needed a father.
Children do.
Boys especially.
Don't, Billy.
Don't.
They said he's
going to be alright.
You've been so good to him.
So good.
I just wish I could find the
one who killed his father.
Bring him up here
for him to see.
Wonder would he be
proud of himself?
Proud of what he done
for God and Ulster.
I almost met John
a long time ago
when he was four.
I heard him call him.
I heard him screamin'.
67 Kilderry Street.
I never even knew his name.
Your husband.
[woman weeps]
[melancholy music]
[door clanks]
[bricks bang]
[alarm rings]
Shit.
Here!
Run, run.
[dog barks]
Tea time, Rosie.
It was tonight.
Yeah, I know.
That's why I brought
the biscuits.
I knew you'd forget.
[people singing]
* And the story of
you Lord Jesus *
* Will be worshipped
in every land *
* Someday we'll
hear the trumpets *
* Someday we'll hear the song *
* When the story
of you Lord Jesus *
* Will be worshipped
in every land *
* Will be worshipped
in every land *
* Will be worshipped
in every land *
Who says the devil has
all the best tunes, eh?
[audience chuckles]
The truth is I didn't want
to be a born-again Christian.
I was Billy.
A hard man, a Protestant.
That was Christian enough.
Do you know what I thought?
I thought born-again
Christians were sissies.
Nancy boys, you know?
I remember them from
when I was a kid,
they usually wore
blazers and badges.
Nice grey flannels, hair
in a nice side shed.
And they'd stand up and tell
you what bad boys they'd been.
The terrible things they'd done,
like hiding their
granny's reading glasses,
or drop an extra couple of
sugar lumps in the Vicar's tea
when he came to visit.
When I thought of my sins,
I was in pain and desperation
because I thought I
was beyond forgiveness.
Beyond redemption.
It took my wife, Susan,
who'd already found
the Lord a long time
to convince me that
I could be saved,
that I could be forgiven
for the terrible
sins I had committed.
My old granny didn't
wear reading glasses.
And even if the
Vicar had visited,
we weren't a sugar
lumps sort of family.
[people chuckle]
See you tomorrow.
You were wonderful.
Did I go on a bit?
Did I gabble?
No, you didn't.
Was it too light?
'Cause I tried not
to be too heavy.
Billy, it was perfect.
You've heard people,
everybody loved it.
Everybody loved you.
The sin of pride.
The sin of false modesty.
There's no such sin.
Is there?
Are yous in?
[Girl] Here.
John?
Yeah.
In the wake of the elections
and as all party talks begin
are Sinn Fein sensitive to
the feelings of the families
of people murdered during
the years of violence?
Of course we are sensitive
to people's feelings.
Sinn Fein members
themselves have suffered
but we're looking
to the future now.
The past has got
to be put behind us
and issues like the prisoners
have got to be looked at.
We can't be selective when
we're looking at
people's suffering.
You know nothing
about suffering.
Nothing.
You done caused all this
and now you want us to forget?
Who were you talkin' to?
Did you hear that?
They want us to forget.
I thought you'd washed this.
It's over 20 years of
shooting and bombing
and refusing to
listen to anybody.
I told you I needed it.
We're expected to forget
about it in five minutes.
I wanted to wear this tonight.
Peace process.
Peace won't bring
your father back.
Ma?
What are you on me about?
I told you to wash this.
You promised.
I'm talking about your father.
Do you not know
what night it is?
[dramatic music]
There are plenty of
other t-shirts upstairs.
If you go and have a look.
I wanted this one.
Not the ones in
the bloody drawer.
Come back here, John.
Come back and pick this up.
[door buzzes]
Yes, madame.
How can I help ya?
I'd like to see someone, please.
I'd like to know who
murdered my husband.
Your husband's been murdered.
Yes.
The IRA came in
and shot him dead
in the bed beside me.
Shit.
Sorry for keeping
you waitin', ma'am.
How can we help you?
The IRA murdered my husband.
They came in through
our bedroom window
and shot him dead in
the bed beside me.
I was pregnant.
Pregnant?
With my daughter, our daughter.
When did this happen, missus?
12 Years ago last night.
12 Years ago?
For Christ sake we thought
the bloody ceasefire
was broken down again.
Sorry, missus.
You just gave us
a bit of fright.
Did you report it?
Sammy.
What was your husband's name?
Paul Willis.
We lived at 67 Kilderry Street.
Is that north area?
And you are?
Mrs. Willis.
I meant your Christian name.
Rosie.
Rosie.
Is that short for Rosemary?
Rosheen.
I was Protestant.
A mixed marriage?
Yes, he was a man
and I was a woman.
Now you leave it with us Missus.
Even if it isn't in our area,
we check to find and
see where we are on it.
We don't close murder
files until they're solved.
The man 12 years ago.
He'll be dead himself by now.
I don't care.
I just want to know
who he was or is.
You've had long enough.
I'll go through whatever we have
and we'll let you know.
If you you'd like to
leave your phone number
or your address
at the front desk,
where we can contact you.
That was one of them on
the television last night
talking about getting
their prisoners out.
That's all you ever
hear these days.
Get the killers out.
Well they're hardly going to
put my husband's killer away
are they after lettin'
all the others out?
I understand how you feel.
But as my colleague points out,
if the killer was
an IRA activist,
he could very well be
dead himself by now.
But I know you'd
still like to know.
Right.
There's a good essay
title for your Sammy.
In 500 words describe the
concept of peace with justice.
12 years ago I was a scrum half
and we won the
school's cup final.
Nice legs.
[Detective] What's
that got to do with it?
It's an observation.
I'm a detective.
So what do we do?
Why don't we get the name
of some Provo activist
in that area who
was killed six or
seven years ago?
Don't be such a cynical bastard.
Why not?
If it puts her mind at rest,
it gives her a bit of peace.
Where's the harm?
Where's the harm?
Do you want your balls
in the chief constable's
trophy cabinet preserved
preserved in a
political solution?
[men laugh]
[man claps]
Come on, come on, come on.
If I turned the heatin' off,
you'd all freeze to death.
Barry McGuiggan,
eat your heart out.
Straighten your arms.
That's it.
Good efforts.
Now try to put some
weight on the bar.
Harold, what are you doing?
You're punching with your arms.
What I have told
you about balance?
Poise, weight.
Put your weight
behind the punch.
Go on.
No, no, you're off balance.
I have decent
countered flatten ya.
I'm only doin' it
for the exercise.
I'm not going to fight anybody.
So you might as
well do it right.
Here I'll show you.
I don't want you to show me.
I told you.
I was only messin'.
Billy, you can
demonstrate on me.
Alright stand here and watch.
Here.
Now just very gently now Sam.
See if you want
to throw a punch,
you want to put your body
weight behind the punch
and you want to defend yourself
against your opponents
counterpunch.
Right?
Do ya understand?
Sorry I got carried away.
See if that had connected,
I've been carried away.
Just that close.
He'd of turned the other
cheek I'd have clipped him.
He got good reflexes, your da.
Aye.
A fighter's instincts.
Why do you not like him?
I do like him it's just...
Sandra, likes him, don't ya?
[keys click]
I brought you some
coffee, Billy.
Thank you.
Any chocolate biscuits?
They make you fat.
I'm sure he gets plenty
of exercise typin'.
Do you seriously want biscuits?
Please, two.
Do you want anything, Billy?
Coffee and your smile's
enough for me, Sandra.
You know Turk, when
you're an old fella,
you're going to get
arthritis in that finger.
Did you write that?
Of course.
All of it?
Every word.
More than once.
Sometimes hundreds of times.
No wonder you're
always cracking jokes.
And you believe it?
All of it, every word?
I believe God's word
but it doesn't always
just mean what it says.
You'll have to interpret it.
Oh, you mean make it up?
No, I don't.
What were you before Turk?
Younger.
What do you mean why?
If they couldn't
catch them then,
what makes you think
they're going to be able
to catch them now
after all this time?
Well if someone had
shot your Brandon,
wouldn't you want
to know who it was?
Only the address with
a letter of thanks.
They make me sick
another peace process.
Now they're saying that even
if they do hand in their guns,
they won't be doing
forensic on them.
Honest to God soon
they'd be asking us
to apologise to them
for being their victims.
So what makes ya think
they're gonna look?
Oh I got them lookin'
don't you worry.
I mean, what must young
ones like my John think?
I know it's silly and
what he does is wrong,
but his father's been murdered,
and no one's ever
been caught for it.
Is that justice?
[melancholy music]
Davie, is it?
Davie Bill?
Billy.
Billy McVea, Billy
friggin' McVea.
Put it there eh son.
Here it's alright, buddy.
There's no holes in the pocket.
You're a bit of a mess, Davie.
I thought you'd be alright.
I will they gave
me another chance.
I tell them the
old woman's dead.
There's no old woman dead
when we were at school.
Yeah, Tom Wallace
doesn't know that.
And what if finds out?
Well how's he going
to find out, bud?
Are you gonna tell him?
I'm not the informer.
[scoffs] I keep this clean, bud.
I'll be alright.
He put me away, you know?
Seven years.
Aye and what was that for?
The only crime was loyalty.
You were some scored though, eh?
Billy, Turk, Davie, and Maury.
Best fuckin' score
in the UVF, boy.
Do you remember?
I'm born again, Davie.
I found the Lord.
[man laughs]
No way to hell.
I have accepted Jesus Christ
as my personal saviour.
Billy McVea, the Christian.
Bollocks.
Get yourself somethin'
to eat, Davie.
The Lord is my
Shepherd, Billy eh?
The best fucking scorer
in the UVF, McVea.
Do you remember?
Help the UVF.
[dramatic music]
[fire sizzles]
Well, well, well
the Reverend McVea.
I'm not quite a Reverend, Tom.
You're babbling on.
Is it an exorcism or somethin'?
No, I was just passing.
It's been a long time since
I've been down the road.
Get the Reverend an
orange juice, Davie.
Lads.
No, it's strange.
Sometimes our circumstances
conspire, you know,
and things come into your mind.
That's called memory, Billy
and we've all got it.
Oh I've been seeing
Davie Bell around.
He's a bit of a mess, isn't he?
Well he's just lost his mother.
Oh, he lost his mother
a long time ago.
She had a brain haemorrhage
when we were at school.
Sit down, Billy.
It was decent givin'
it back to him.
Oh I'm a decent mom
if you were straight with me.
Now I don't want him hurt.
Jeremy.
[menacing music]
[phone rings]
Go get the phone.
Hello?
Alice.
I'm just ringin' love
'cause we're not be
able to make it tonight.
No, I'm really sorry.
It's just Albert
has to work late.
Pardon?
Ah.
I'd love to Susan,
but you know him,
he expects the hot meal
sat down in front of him.
I keep telling him it's
a nose bag he needs,
but tell Billy not to worry.
We'll get there another night.
Right?
Right, right.
Bye-bye.
Liar.
That was your
mother on the phone.
She says they can't come
but they will come
another night.
Havin' me tell lies for ya.
I never asked you to
tell no lies for me.
I told you to tell him
I got better things
to do after a hard day's
work to listen to him rantin'
and ravin' about
hell and damnation.
Jesus Christ this,
and Jesus Christ that.
Jesus created shit
accordin' to that fella.
Dirty blasphemin'.
You're gonna get one of us
struck down one of these days.
You just wait.
Aye, I'm quaking in the boots.
After puttin' up with your
cooking for all these years,
I've little to fear
from fire and brimstone.
Harold and Joanne with ya?
Harold was wondering-
No.
He does have a lot
of homework, Billy.
Does he?
Well he can rise at five
in the morning with me.
He did go to the
club this afternoon.
Don't try and say it's my fault.
He didn't do his homework.
He is trying, Billy.
That's him tryin' is it?
He doesn't like that
and I don't want him to box.
He wasn't boxing Susan.
He was boxing training
and I wanted him to do it right.
That's what I do.
I try to instruct people
to do things properly.
Do I instruct everyone else
and let Harold as he pleases?
Well did you have
to tell him off
in front of all the others?
I didn't tell them off.
I was instructin' him.
I was treating them
exactly like everybody else
and he flared up.
I can't win with him, can I?
It's not a matter
of winnin', Billy.
He is your son.
I washed out that
t-shirt for you today.
Oh, thanks.
I'm sorry.
It's just...
I also washed your
football stuff.
Right.
Thanks.
What are you trying
to do to me, John?
What?
The stuff under your bed.
Stuff?
The stuff under your bed.
Don't act stupid.
I'm looking after
it for somebody.
Ahmed.
Just mindin' it.
I see you didn't steal it.
No.
Don't lie to me.
I'm sick of it.
Do you hear me?
I'm sick of it.
I'm not lyin'.
I'm looking after
it for somebody.
Who for?
Ahmed.
Who, which Ahmed?
Ma.
Don't you ma me.
Have I not enough to put up with
and today of all days?
What is wrong with you?
He was my da.
I'm the one who wiped
the blood from your face.
Remember?
He'd be ashamed of you.
You've no right to be
sneaking in my stuff.
It's my room and it's private.
It wasn't snooping.
I was collecting your washin'.
My football stuff
didn't need washin'.
I haven't played
football for months.
I'm not concerned with whether
you're playing football or not.
I'm concerned with your
thievin' and lyin'.
You've been bringin'
the police to my door.
You'll end up in prison.
So that's my business.
I'm not asking you to
serve my sentence for me.
Don't you hit me.
If I start on you
son, I'll kill you.
Will ya?
Come on then.
Come on.
Don't you put your
fists up to me.
Don't you dare.
Well don't you hit me.
I'm warning you.
You're father'd
be ashamed of you.
Do you hear me?
[phone rings]
Hi, Rosie.
Come on in.
You alright?
[boy sighs]
And so does ma.
I mean that's what did it.
God love him.
He thought sleeping downstairs
was getting his
own back on leave.
[mother chuckles]
Hello, Auntie Joan.
Hey, John.
I think your ma should get
swing doors put in here.
Ma, I'll need that stuff.
I burnt it.
Ma, stop messin'.
I'm meetin' the lads, please.
I'll take it all away.
I found a box of
stolen cigarettes
and stuff underneath his bed.
So I burnt it.
Which is right.
Have you no bloody sense, John?
Ma, I need that stuff.
Stop messing.
Where is it?
I told you I burnt it.
I kill you.
I'll wreck this house
if you don't give it to me.
I'm meetin' the lads.
Come on.
You send the lads
over here, son,
and I'll tell them where it is.
Tell me where it is.
Tell me.
Put that vase down, John.
[water splashes]
You bitch.
[glass shatters]
Get back here, John.
You'll not rest 'til
you're locked up.
I'll be up there
with their friends.
Your [faintly speaking]
friends who murdered my da.
Fenian bitch.
Wait 'til I get my hands
on you you wee bastard.
What are you lookin' at?
Just piss off and mind
your own business.
Joan, come in.
I have to live here.
Imagine him callin'
me a Fenianer.
[people clamouring]
Come on, come on
you wee bastard.
Come on you bastard.
He knows.
He knows.
It isn't me who judges you.
It isn't you who judges me.
It's God who judges us all.
When you confess
your sins to God,
you're not telling Him
things He doesn't know.
God knows you've sinned.
God knows the
nature of your sin.
He knows the date, the day.
He knows the time
of day of that sin.
He knows how often you
committed that sin.
When you confess to God,
you're not telling him things
he doesn't know.
You're not saying to him,
"God, I want you to know this."
God knows.
You're saying, "God, I want
to acknowledge the fact
"that I now know
that I've sinned.
"I now know that
I've done wrong."
[Man] Jesus is near,
praise the Lord.
I've sinned against your laws,
your commandments and now
I want to beg you
for your forgiveness.
[Man] Oh Lord, I
apologise for my sins.
I want to wash myself clean
in the blood of the lamb.
Clean in the blood
your son, Jesus Christ
shed for us on the cross.
[All] UVF, UVF, UVF, UVF, UVF!
Bless you, Lord.
Bless you.
Praise the Lord.
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord,
Lord, Lord, Lord!
Ah, shit.
That's enough.
Anybody think you
never seen buns before.
Greed is one of the
seven deadly sins.
And so is envy.
Your brother certainly
didn't work up an appetite
with a fervour of his worship.
Look, Harold who's
gonna eat that now
after you've been
pawin' all over it?
Well I wanted it.
Hey, fella, the meetin's over.
Come on.
Can I use the toilet?
Can I have a drink of water?
Just turn it off.
That's alright, Turk.
Come in.
Come in.
Oh you're hurt.
Here, sit down.
He said he wanted
[faintly speaking].
I just wanted to go
for a drink of water.
Joanne, go and fetch a
glass of water, please.
Would you like a cup of tea?
That'd be great.
Help yourself to a
sandwich or a wee bun.
Thanks.
That knee looks nasty.
It needs lookin' at.
Maybe we should have a look.
Can you get and turn
your leg up over it?
It's alright.
I'll do it at home.
Thanks.
What happened?
I fell.
How?
Harold.
How do you usually fall?
I don't usually fall.
I was being chased by a Fenian
by a Catholic mob.
Over here?
They must've chased
ya for a bit.
What's your name?
I'm John.
Well my name is Billy.
This is my wife, Susan
and Joanne, Harold.
Have a wee bun, John.
Go on, son.
We've all finished.
My Paul's always the same.
But the one who murdered
him is growing older.
I look out there and I see them
all wandering around
staggerin' about.
And I think my Paul
should be there.
I can't tell you how
much that hurts me, Joan.
It's not hurting him.
Whoever he is, wherever he is.
They're not sorry, Rosie.
And they're not apologising.
But they're my people.
I'm one of 'em.
No, you're not.
You married a Protestant.
You'd lived in a
Protestant area.
You brought your children
up as Protestants.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I committed a major crime did I?
I'm not saying that
but you made a choice Rosie
and come on you don't
even come into our area.
You won't come near us.
Because somebody
in there murdered
my husband for God's sake.
In 12 years, Rosie
you haven't set
foot inside my door,
not once in 12 years
and I'm your sister.
I didn't kill Paul
and neither did my children.
Most of the people at West
Belfast regret the killin's.
They really do but
not in the way you do
or in the way you want them to.
Poor fella, poor wee girl.
It's a shame.
That's all you'll get.
Push 'em and you'll
have hundreds of Liam's
and Shaun's, and Teresa's
who've suffered too.
Most of names and Shauns
and Teresas were involved.
They're in the IRA.
The only thing my husband was
in was bed for God's sake.
Rosie, you want them hangin'
at the end of a rope.
That's the only thing that's
really going to satisfy you,
but it's not going to happen.
Whatever it is not
going to happen.
I want a ceasefire that lasts
for my kids' sake.
For our kids' sake.
Oh, I see.
Sit there Rosie and
suffer in silence.
If that's what's
necessary for our kids,
well then yes.
But you've suffered.
You've suffered for
12 years, Rosie.
And there's no rebate on that.
Remember to clean and bathe
that as soon as you get in.
I will.
Thanks for the lift.
No problem.
Are you coming to the boxin'?
Yeah, definitely.
Because even if you don't box,
the training itself
is good for strength
and fitness, right?
Night, John.
Alright.
See ya.
[boy grimaces]
Shut up, John and
don't be such a baby.
Baby?
I'd love to see
you if it was you.
I would've been straight
up to the hospital
if it had been me.
And how? [grunts]
Ah shit.
Don't swear.
It hurts.
It could be tetanus.
Don't be daft.
It could be.
We did it in first
aid, you have to get
your whole nail took off.
Holly.
I thought you said
you cleaned this.
It was a wee bit
of grit in there.
A boy in our school dived
on his kneecap in a UDA
and he lost leg.
Ma, will you tell
her to shut up?
Why didn't you go
up to the hospital?
How could I have?
[boy grunts]
Got it.
Right.
I'll just put this on for now.
Honestly, John.
I don't know what I got to
come home to next with you.
Ma, I fell.
Anybody can fall.
Not in as many ways
as you, they can't.
And how did you meet this
man who gave you the lift?
I've told you.
I just went in
for a drink of water.
He's a preacher.
Why didn't he take you
up to the hospital?
While he was at it?
It was good enough of them
to give me a lift at all.
Right off to bed
or none of us will
be up in the morning.
We deliver ourselves
into your care dear Lord
for tonight for all our
nights and forevermore, amen.
Amen.
You were wonderful
tonight, Billy.
Really wonderful.
Thanks.
I know you were
annoyed with Harold,
but we've got to
let him go, Billy
and then he'll come back to us.
He's 16, Susan,
do you know what's out there?
Satan hasn't
declared a ceasefire.
It doesn't apply to the
criminals, the drug dealers,
all the others.
I know love, but we have to.
Discipline parental
responsibility.
I was up to my neck
in all kinds of things
from the age of 15.
I was carrying a gun at
16, handling explosives.
I know what you were doing.
-Do you, Susan?
-I do.
You don't know.
You said it yourself tonight.
God knows.
And he has forgiven you,
but I might not be able to.
I'm not God.
If you love me,
you must love me as I am.
I do love you as you are,
but I'm a wife and a mother,
and I pray to God for strength
but I'm not sure
how much I have.
If you were to go away,
I couldn't cope.
I couldn't survive it.
Not now I couldn't.
[melancholy music]
I'd love to find all the
people who have suffered
as a result of my actions.
I'd love to find them all.
Put them in a room
and make my testimony to them.
But I can't do that, Susan.
Come on to bed, love.
The heat is turned off.
You'll catch cold
standing there.
[gun blasts]
Again, again.
Harder, move.
One, two, three.
That's it.
Flexibility, flexibility.
One, two, three.
That's it.
Duck and swing, duck and swing.
One, two, three.
Over the top.
That's it, that's it.
Not bad.
Not bad at all.
Remember keep your guard up here
and don't be exposed down there.
Get in the way of good habits.
Once those defensive
instincts were established,
they never leave you understand?
Yeah.
You understand me?
Yeah, right.
Oye.
Good lad.
Hey John, Sandra wants
you to teach her.
Midge, say you.
You wanna box?
I'm not very good at all.
That doesn't matter.
I'll just show you.
Come on.
I won't hurt ya.
That's what Vicar said
to the virgin. [chuckles]
Come on, put your gloves up.
You're wide open.
That's for Billy.
Like this.
I coulda put you away by now.
Duck!
Move!
Movin' targets are
hard to hit you see.
Do you think you
got the hang of it?
Wanna try a bit?
I'm not very good though.
That's not what Billy says.
Don't worry.
I'll go easy on you.
[girl chuckles]
[people cheer and clap]
What are you pairin' at?
He's no defence.
No, it's you that
has no defence.
It's not funny.
I told you before.
I've told you all
before you don't
ever fight unsupervised ever.
Do you hear me?
No, I've gone deaf.
He wanted to teach me.
Teach you?
He's only learned themself.
Aye he learned
somethin' today alright.
Take those gloves off Sandra.
You look ridiculous.
They were two peach punches,
but like peaches.
Go and occupy yourself
with something, Midge.
Come on.
Just follow my finger.
How many fingers
am I holdin' up?
Three.
How many now?
Three.
Now.
Two.
Now.
Four.
Got a sore head?
Yeah.
You dizzy?
Not now.
You alright?
Listen, I gotta go make my teas.
Thinks ya can wallop
Big Sandra, eh?
I wouldn't take her on.
She told me she couldn't box.
She can't.
Well not much but she can take
and you can't hurt her.
See if hit her
with a sledgehammer
she'll turn around
and flatten you.
I've said I'm sorry
for what I said.
You're not gonna talk to me?
And say what?
God forgive me?
Well, of course that would
be a wonderful thing to say
if you meant it.
Well, I won't and I don't.
He was showing off.
He took me on and
I flattened him.
You're always with him now.
You never bother
with anybody else.
Now you sure you're alright?
Yeah, my dizziness
is all gone now.
That was nice of
her to say sorry.
She's nice.
I mean-
Before you even think about it,
read up on the prayin'
mantis, alright?
John?
Ma this is Billy.
He runs the club.
I'm very pleased to meet you.
Billy McVea.
I'm very pleased to meet you.
I've heard quite
a lot about you.
You're the man who's
going to make my son
into a world champion, are ya?
I might have even higher
ambitions for John.
John didn't fall over
again today did he?
No, I don't fall every day.
Would you like a cup
of tea, Mr. McVea?
No, I'm just going
home for my dinner.
Well, I better
not keep you then.
It was very nice to meet you.
Yeah, it's very nice you too.
Perhaps some other time
if it's still an offer.
Just pop over some
time for a cup of tea.
It's a deal, bye.
[John] Bye.
Bye.
[melancholy music]
Nice man.
He's totally different
of how I thought he'd be.
Do you like him?
He's very nice.
This sorry character could
be Mrs. Willis' bogeyman.
Michael James Patrick
Finbar O'Reilly.
As big, bad and ugly a bastard
has ever died for Ireland.
Shot dead been on
the cover of Soldier,
Saint James parade,
seven years ago.
He'll do.
Or we could try the truth.
Do you remember detective
Sergeant John Brennis?
John Brennis?
I knew John well, why?
He used to have great contacts.
Very well-placed source
in the UVF in the village
one by the name of Paul Willis
husband of Rosie Willis.
He was a small-time UVF man.
The UVF murdered him because
he was one of our informers.
Billy.
Good to see you again.
Mr. McVea.
Can I be Billy here?
Rosie.
Billy, it's my turn.
Just carry on don't mind me.
No, Midge, Midge,
hold it back for
Sandra would you?
Come around.
Why boxing?
My father was very keen.
He taught me.
He thought I was good.
I couldn't been a contender.
Marlon Brando, "On
the Waterfront."
Oh I see.
Billy, do you want me
to get your coffee?
I thought you were trainin'.
Midge is useless.
Would you like a coffee?
You say you took sugar?
No, no thanks.
Sweet enough are ya?
Like Billy.
That's what Billy thinks anyway.
Thank you, Sandra.
I am Sandra.
You're John's mother?
Yes.
Pleased to meet you.
Good boxer your wee John.
Billy thinks so anyway.
Don't ya Billy?
We haven't got all day.
Oh, I can take a punch.
Sorry a hint.
She's very keen.
He's a nice lad, John.
Your John.
I'm very fond of him.
I'm very grateful to you.
You've been a good
influence on him.
How long is it since?
12 Years, John was only four.
Same age as my own son
but Harold wasn't very
interested in what I do.
Well, he's not
into blood sports.
Disapproval?
I don't like boxing.
I don't like violence.
I'm not sure about teaching
young children to be aggressive.
Young children are aggressive,
especially in areas like this.
We see this as a way of
channelling that aggression.
Lettin' them work out
their frustrations
on a punchbag, tiring them
out with physical exercise,
and giving them a sense
of pride in their bodies,
stare them clear of
the paramilitaries.
The drugs.
And convert them?
More disapproval.
To me, God's very
like the police.
It's never there
when you need them.
God is always there
when you need him.
But you have to know
that you need him
and ask him for his help.
Well, anyway.
John's certainly
taken to all of this.
Used to be he never rose
before early afternoon.
It's not conditional.
I mean, coming to
hear me preach,
it's not a condition.
He asked.
Well he's a young lad
and he did lose his father.
But he does have
a heavenly father.
We all do.
He never did much for me.
And he says, "Suffer
the little children
"and turn the other cheek."
I only had the one husband.
Sandra, can you leave us please?
[man chuckles]
You don't do things
by half guard do ya?
You wait 12 years.
Not only is he married,
not only does he have kids,
not only is your
son's surrogate dad,
but he's a God freak.
Sounds gorgeous too.
Joan, you're terrible.
He's just a very nice man.
I know and you're just
very good friends.
He's been very good to John.
John really likes him.
He really responds to him.
The way to a woman's knickers
is through your son's affection.
It's an old tale I've told.
You've a mind like a
[faintly speaking].
I know I'm somewhat blocked.
So if he's built like a
human dynamo pass him on.
[women chuckle]
I've asked her to come in just
to give her an official gloss.
And what do ya think
we should tell her?
As much as we know.
Of course we can't tell her
that her husband was
an RUC informant.
There's no such
animal in captivity.
And when she asks
why he was murdered?
Who fuckin' knows.
These people kill each other
over a game of marbles.
Mrs. Willis, we
have as promised,
had another look at
your husband's case.
Well things are a
little different
from what we first thought.
As far as we can determine
and the evidence
is pretty strong,
your husband was
murdered by loyalists.
Not the IRA.
Our best guess is UVF.
That's based on pretty
strong evidence.
Why would the UVF want
to murder my husband?
Well, we don't know.
These groups are
pretty unstable.
We wondered if you might
know of any reason.
Why didn't you tell
us your husband was
in the UVF, Mrs. Willis?
What?
He wasn't.
Paul wasn't in anything.
I'd have known.
He didn't tell us that
your maiden name is Steward
originally from the
White Rock Road.
That your sister, Joan
McBride lives in the falls.
You knew my details.
Why are you asking
me all these things?
I told you I was a Catholic.
I'm not lying to you.
Paul wasn't in the UVF.
I'd have known.
I'd have known [cries].
It does happen.
Look, I don't think your
husband was a prime mover.
I mean, there's no evidence
to suggest he was
involved in any crime.
I think myself that
he must've joined up
when he was a young lad.
So I don't think he
was very active at all.
No, he just forgot
to mention it to you.
Forgot to stop his membership
like a book club or something.
My son hates Catholics
because he thought the
IRA murdered his father.
What am I gonna say to him?
How can I explain it?
Maybe you shouldn't tell.
Sit down, Mrs. Willis.
Sit down again for a minute.
Sammy, get her a cup
of tea and sugar.
The tea room's closed.
Oh for Christ's sake, Sammy.
I didn't know.
I didn't know.
I believe you.
Mrs. Willis, I don't know
where to start looking.
This case was thoroughly
investigated at the time.
There's nothing.
Not a whisper.
Stone-cold we have
nothing to go on.
How do you usually go
about these things?
As I say, the case was
thoroughly investigated.
For your sake and
for your son's sake.
Don't tell me to forget it.
Do you think I'd walk in
here if I could forget it?
[ethereal music]
Rosie, what are
ya doin' up here?
Oh my God, what's happened?
Rosie what's wrong?
Ma, ma.
I don't know where she is.
She's always in at this time.
Sardines then?
Great.
Food for the brain.
You sure it's
alright to use 'em?
What you mean?
Well she's not saving
them for anything?
Your mother.
Special occasions.
Saturdays.
No, perhaps not.
Stick a video in, okay?
Rosie, love, it's only
when you actually drank
this stuff that
it does any good.
It's like a double betrayal.
He betrayed me and
they betrayed him.
To be killed by your own people.
There's my stupid,
wee silly John
out fightin' with
Catholics because he thinks
they killed his da.
Ruined our lives.
I have to tell
him, don't I Joan?
Yes, Rosie.
You have to tell him.
He's got to know the truth.
These are nice pictures.
Thanks.
What about your dad?
Do you remember much about him?
Not much.
I remember the
night he was killed.
I wiped the blood and
brains from my ma's face.
This is him.
Oh yes.
I can see you in him.
The eyes, the nose.
Billy, are you alright?
You look a bit pale.
Yeah, I'm alright just-
Maybe them sardines were off.
[gun blasts and glass shatters]
Where was he killed, John?
What?
In bed.
He was shot dead in bed.
Here, here it was here?
No, in our old house.
We used to live at
67 Kilderry Street.
[gun blasts]
[man gasps]
The bloody fish.
Where are ya, ma?
Will I call an ambulance, Billy?
Oh God, Billy.
Don't die.
Dear God.
God, please don't make him die.
Just make him better.
If he lives, I'll
become a Christian.
John?
Ma, it's Billy.
He's bein' sick.
[gun blasts]
Oh dear God.
Dear Lord, Jesus, how
could you do this to me?
[woman knocks]
Mr. McVea, Billy.
Will I call an ambulance ma?
Will I?
[Rosie] Mr. McVea.
I'm fine, Mrs. Willis.
You alright?
Shall I'll get you something?
No, I have an allergy.
I'd forgotten.
It's not usually so bad.
Billy, I'm sorry.
No, no, my fault.
Entirely my fault.
Do you want to sit down?
No, I must go.
I'm late.
Are you able to drive?
Yes.
Now you listen to me, Harold.
I've got your grandda to come.
So don't you start.
It's going to be a big
night for your father.
This'll be the first
time his father
has ever been to hear him speak.
I don't want eternal life.
I'm bored enough as it is.
Honey, don't say that.
Now, don't.
I'm warnin' ya.
Harold, please.
It's going to be a
real family night.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power.
In the blood.
In the blood.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power.
In the Holy blood of the lamb.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power.
In the blood.
In the blood.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power
in the precious
blood of the lamb.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power
in the blood, in the blood.
There's power, power,
wonder-workin' power
in the Holy blood of the lamb.
What do you think?
Mutton dressed as lamb.
Try the other cheek.
Come on we finish
this in the kitchen.
Would you sit down
for a minute son?
I don't want to go
to no bloody meetin'.
Do not use language like that.
I hope and shame us.
I get enough of that out
of Kipper every
day in a shipyard.
Holy Joe's trolling around every
launch time shovin' at you.
Now he's creeping
up out at night.
Preaching and sermonising.
What was he doing creepin'
about the night before?
You never took any
interest in him.
You never supported him.
It's no wonder.
He's a bloody fanatic.
Always was and always will be.
[tense music]
Why would Protestants
wanna murder my da?
Maybe it was mistake.
They don't make
them sorta mistakes.
It was right in the middle
of a Protestant area.
The UVF don't make
mistakes like that.
But how da ya know it's UVF?
Just shut up, will ya?
You knew nothing about it.
You weren't even born.
I'm askin' my ma.
Ma?
You're going to drive me insane.
I don't know.
I told you, I don't know.
For 12 years, I thought he
was murdered by the IRA.
The police have told
me that was the UVF.
Probably the UVF.
Protestants anyway.
I don't know who it was.
It could have been
people next door,
people across the
street, friends,
people we knew it
coulda been friends.
But I don't know.
I don't know why.
I don't know who it was
and I don't know why son.
Please.
It's you.
You're why they did it.
You're a Fenian.
They shot him because he
was married to a Fenian.
[slaps] Bastard.
I'll kill ya.
I'll kill ya, ya wee bastard.
Mommy, please leave
-him alone.
-I'll kill ya.
I'll kill ya.
I loved him, I loved him!
Rosie.
I've never hit John before.
He thinks they shot
Paul because of me
because I was Fenian.
He was very wrong
to say that, Rosie.
To say it, but was
what he said wrong?
Yes, Rosie.
The man who pulled that
trigger on whoever he did it
for murdered Paul not you.
[spirited music]
Bastards.
[window clanks]
Yous murdered my da.
Ya wee bastard.
Murderers.
Bastards.
Bastards.
Ya fuckin' bastard.
Bastard.
[boy grimaces]
You shite.
You scumbag.
* There's power in the blood *
* Power in the blood *
* Come for a cleansing
to Calary's tide *
* There's wonderful
power in the blood *
* There is power, power,
wonder-working power *
* In the blood of the lamb *
* There is power, power
wonder-working power *
* In the precious
blood of the lamb *
* There is power, power
wonder-working power *
* In the blood of the lamb *
* There is power, power,
wonder-working power *
* In the precious
blood of the lamb *
God is light.
In him there is no
darkness at all.
We claim to have
fellowship with him yet
walk in the darkness then we lie
and do not live by the truth.
But if we walk in the light,
as He is in that light,
then we have fellowship
with one another
and the blood of Jesus
Christ His son purifies
us all from sin.
Friends, I want
to walk in light.
I want to come out
of the darkness
and live by the truth.
But sometimes that
truth is hard.
Sometimes that truth is...
Rosie.
Rosie.
[woman whispers]
What!!
What!!!
What are ya sayin'?
John, where is he?
[machine clicks]
I can still see
those little hands
wiping my face telling
me not to worry.
That he'd look after me.
I wonder if he can
feel my hands tonight.
Thumping and thumping.
Not just saying
I'd look after him.
Threatening to kill him.
I always felt...
I felt guilty.
Maybe I should've gone
to you to tell him,
to explain to him.
He likes you.
He needed a father.
Children do.
Boys especially.
Don't, Billy.
Don't.
They said he's
going to be alright.
You've been so good to him.
So good.
I just wish I could find the
one who killed his father.
Bring him up here
for him to see.
Wonder would he be
proud of himself?
Proud of what he done
for God and Ulster.
I almost met John
a long time ago
when he was four.
I heard him call him.
I heard him screamin'.
67 Kilderry Street.
I never even knew his name.
Your husband.
[woman weeps]
[melancholy music]
[door clanks]