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Castlereagh

Torture, abuse and a suspect's death: An RUC holding centre used during the Troubles

Bobby Hanvey was the only photographer allowed to take pictures before the building was demolished.
7.00pm, 2 Jan 2015
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OVER TWO DECADES, thousands of paramilitaries were held and questioned at Castlereagh RUC barracks in Belfast.

The holding centre was the subject of controversy as allegations about the treatment by police of those suspected of terrorists acts. In 1978, a suspect died in a holding centre, stirring up allegations of torture and physical abuse and these allegations were backed up by reports in the 1990s.

Burns Library at the Boston College has this collection of photos from 2002, which shows the inside of the holding centre. Bobby Hanvey was the only photographer allowed into the building before it was demolished.

Torture, abuse and a suspect's death: An RUC holding centre used during the Troubles
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  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Outside view of RUC station, Castlereagh, Belfast.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Medical room at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Warden's recreation room at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Cell block at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Holding centre and disused sanger at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Files and prisoner medical records at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Cell bed and chair at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

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    Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Shelves of cassette tapes used to record prisoner interviews.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Exercise cage for prisoners.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Shower area for prisoners at the RUC station.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

  • Castlereagh RUC Barracks

    Shelves of prisoner records.Source: Burns Library, Boston College

Read: Former IRA officer: ‘Gardaí colluded with us during the Troubles’>

Victim of Enniskillen Bombing: ‘I remember running around as if it was a horror movie’>

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Michelle Hennessy
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