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Paddy Hill, one of the Birmingham Six wrongly convicted of IRA bombings, dies aged 80

Birmingham Six spent almost two decades in prison for pub bombings before their convictions were quashed in 1991

Paddy Hill (second from left) with British MP Chris Mullin (centre) and other members of the Birmingham Six (l-r): John Walker, Hugh Callaghan, Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter and William Power outside the Old Bailey in London after their convictions were quashed in 1991. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire
Paddy Hill (second from left) with British MP Chris Mullin (centre) and other members of the Birmingham Six (l-r): John Walker, Hugh Callaghan, Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter and William Power outside the Old Bailey in London after their convictions were quashed in 1991. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire
Mon Dec 30 2024 - 14:20

Paddy Hill, one of the men wrongly convicted of IRA attacks on pubs in Birmingham in 1974, has died at the age of 80. Mr Hill was among a group of men from Northern Ireland jailed for the atrocity who became known as the Birmingham Six.

Some 21 people were killed in explosions at two Birmingham city centre pubs in November 1974.

The Birmingham Six spent almost two decades in prison for the bombings before their convictions were quashed in 1991. The Miscarriages of Justice Organisation said in a post on its Facebook page that Mr Hill died peacefully at home on Monday morning. “It is with great sorrow Paddy died this morning peacefully at home. Our condolences to his family at this sad time. We ask that you respect the family’s privacy.”

Paddy Hill pictured in 2018. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Paddy Hill pictured in 2018. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Mr Hill founded the group in 2001 to help others.

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Just three of the Birmingham Six are still alive – Gerry Hunter, John Walker and Billy Power. Hugh Callaghan died in 2023 and Richard McIlkenny in 2006. – PA