Paddy Hill, a key figure in the Birmingham Six case, has died at 80, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and a fight for justice.
Birmingham: Paddy Hill, who passed away at 80, was one of the Birmingham Six. These were the innocent men wrongfully convicted for the Birmingham pub bombings in 1975. The bombings, which happened in 1974, tragically killed 21 people and injured many others during a time of intense IRA activity in Britain.
From the start, Hill insisted he was innocent. But getting anyone to listen was tough. A justice secretary even said the obstacles were “insuperable.” It was Hill’s determination that sparked an investigation, which eventually led to the overturning of their convictions 16 years later. He even convinced a Tory MP to support their cause.
Initially, their appeal was denied in 1976. Hill’s story was featured in documentaries and a book that helped reopen the case. After a lengthy hearing in 1988, the court upheld the convictions, but new evidence kept surfacing. Finally, in March 1991, the appeal court declared the convictions “unsafe and unsatisfactory,” leading to their release.
Hill spent a lot of time in HMP Gartree, where he faced many challenges. Despite his strong spirit, the years took a toll on him. He struggled with his mental health and spent a lot of time in solitary confinement.
Born in Ardoyne, Belfast, Hill’s upbringing was complex. His family had ties to the British army, which was unusual for his community. A childhood friend, James McDade, would later play a significant role in Hill’s life, leading to his wrongful arrest after a bombing incident.
In 1960, Hill’s family moved to Birmingham, where he had a tumultuous life filled with legal troubles. He had a tough exterior but was known for his humor. Ironically, he struggled to even afford the bus fare to attend McDade’s funeral on the day of the bombings.
After his release, Hill found it hard to adjust to life outside prison. His marriage fell apart, and he had a rocky relationship with his kids. He worked as a cook at a community center, sharing stories of his past.
Unlike others from the Birmingham Six, Hill couldn’t escape the stigma of his wrongful conviction. In 1995, he published an autobiography detailing his experiences. Later, he used his compensation to start Mojo, an organization that helps victims of miscarriages of justice.
Even years after his release, Hill struggled with the trauma of his past. He often expressed feelings of anger and tension, wishing he could go back to his cell. He remarried in 2005 and found some peace on a farm in Ayrshire with his wife, Tara Babel, who survives him.
Patrick Joseph Hill was born on December 20, 1944, and passed away on December 23, 2024.
