Enniskillen man who was the first person to win a civil case for torture against the RUC to launch book

Bernard O'Connor has turned his experience into a book that tells of the trauma he suffered at the hands of the state, but also charts his triumphant recovery to a new life.

In 'Freeing the Truth’, Bernard outlines how in 1977 he was a young schoolteacher, Scout leader and father of eight. He was arrested and taken to Castlereagh Interrogation Centre where he was tortured for four days.

With his book detailing how he was worn-down, sleep-deprived, and in pain, Bernard writes about how close he was to doing a deal with the authorities, to confessing to crimes – including murder – that he had no knowledge of, and could not possibly have committed.

Some three years later, Bernard made history by becoming the first person to win a civil case for torture against the RUC, with the law governing interrogation methods changed as a result.

However, for Bernard, the price was high. In the book, he writes about his subsequent interactions with the security forces, and how that affected him and his family.

He would also survive a Loyalist murder bid, as well as fighting insinuations that despite being a man who had never had a charge proffered against him, he had somehow eluded justice.

'Freeing the Truth’ outlines how the collateral damage was incalculable, including a mental breakdown and a broken marriage, before Bernard retrained as a psychotherapist and discovered renewed personal and professional happiness. However, even today, Bernard believes he will never be a free man.

The book is his testimony to his ordeal, written in the hope that others will understand; and that such injustice will never again be perpetrated on another innocent person.

‘Freeing the Truth’ will be launched at 7.30pm at the Westville Hotel in Enniskillen, on Monday, August 30, where there will be an opportunity to hear Bernard talk about his experiences.

Guests will include Michelle Gildernew, Tony McGettigan and Tommy Maguire.