Requiem Mass for Hugh Callaghan from the Birmingham Six

Image by Patricia Hammond

More than 200 family members and friends gathered at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and St Dominic in Homerton, east London on Monday for the funeral Mass of Hugh Callaghan, who died at the age of 93, on 27 May. Parish priest Fr Patrick Allsop was the celebrant. The singing was led by Patricia Hammond. Readings and prayers were given by Ciara and Conor O'Malley, Stephen O'Carroll, John Livingstone, John O'Connor and Norah Mulready. The Offertory was brought up by Margaret Jamieson, and Seana O'Mallley, Molly Mulready gave the eulogy.

Hugh was one of the Birmingham Six, wrongly convicted for the 1974 pub bombings in Birmingham. After brutal interrogations, Hugh Callaghan, originally from Belfast, together with Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, John Walker, Richard McIlkenny and Billy Power, were jailed for life and endured 16 years in prison, until a massive campaign led by the Labour MP Chris Mullin eventually led to their complete exoneration and freedom in 1991.

After his release, at the age of 61, Hugh went on to become involved in several Irish community organisations in England. He lived in Hackney, with his partner Adeline Masterson.

During the Mass, tributes were paid to Hugh's "values of forgiveness and gentle optimism". The congregation heard how music sustained Hugh during his years in prison. He told the Guardian last year: "there was nothing to sing about in prison but I couldn't help it."

In May this year he recorded an album: 'Songs of Love and Emigration' with the Irish Pensioners Choir, directed by Nora Mulready and produced by Gerry Diver. It is due to be released soon.

In a statement the Mulready family said: "Hugh's passing feels like the end of an era. We loved and admired him very much, and all of us are so proud that he was a part of our lives.. He was a man with astonishing strength of character. Despite the profound injustice he endured, he was not bitter or angry, but joyful and always ready to sing. His party piece was Danny Boy, and his voice was magnificent and strong right to end, with the last day of his life spent with his beloved Adeline, singing to the nurses in hospital."

While expressing profound sadness at his death, the Mulreadys said: "We know the last years of his life were full of love, singing, dancing and Irish music. We will continue to try and live the values of forgiveness and gentle optimism that Hugh taught us."

The eulogy was delivered by Molly Mulready, whose family were close to Mr Callaghan and were also involved in the campaign to free him. Molly's mother, Sally Mulready, helped Mr Callaghan write his life story: 'Cruel Fate - One Man's Triumph Over Injustice' published by the University of Massachusetts Press in 1995.

Among the congregation were members of the Irish Pensioners Choir, Orla McBreen, from the Irish Embassy in London and Gareth Peirce, the solicitor who worked tirelessly for the release of the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four.

After the Masses ended there was a brief session of traditional Irish music before Hugh Callaghan's coffin was carried shoulder-high out of the church to a recording of him singing Danny Boy in his powerful voice. As the procession came onto the pavement there was a great clap of thunder. Then - to the strains of a lone Irish piper, Hugh's coffin was placed into the hearse and driven away for a private burial.

A reception was held at the WB Yeats pub, in Fonthill Road.

Hugh is the second of the Birmingham Six to die. Richard McIlkenny died in 2006. Hugh's wife Eileen, died in 2014.

Hugh Callaghan is survived by his partner Adeline Masterson, his daughter Geraldine, two grandchildren and his sister Patsy in Belfast.