Disney's Say Nothing branded 'horrendous and cruel' by son of IRA murder victim - fuming 'it's not entertainment, this is our reality'

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Disney Plus's Say Nothing has been branded 'horrendous and cruel' by the son of an IRA murder victim, who fumed that 'it's not entertainment, this is our reality'.

The series, based on the Patrick Radden Keefe book, tells the stories of communities living in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The unrest lasted almost 30 years and cost the lives of more than 3,500 people.

One of the storylines told the tragic story of Michael McConville's mother, Jean, who was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA.

During The Troubles, Jean, who was a mother of ten, went missing after she was dragged out of her home in December 1972 by hooded thugs and bundled into a van.

He said the programme was 'another telling of [my mother's story] that I and my family have to endure', according to the BBC. 

Disney +'s Say Nothing has been branded 'horrendous and cruel' by a son of an IRA murder victim who fumed that 'it's not entertainment, this is our reality' (pictured: Michael McConville)

One of the lines told the tragic story of Michael McConville's mother, Jean (pictured), who was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Michael said: 'I have not watched it nor do I intend watching it.

'I have no interest in it.'

He added that 'Disney is renown for entertainment', but said that his mother's death 'is not entertainment for me and my family'.

'This is our reality, every day for 52 years.'

The son also slammed the timing of the series as it was released just ahead of the anniversary of his mother's death. 

'The portrayal of the execution and secret burial of my mother is horrendous and unless you have lived through it, you will never understand just how cruel it is,' he said.

'Everyone knows the story of Jean McConville, even Hillary Clinton who I met a few years ago knew my mother's story.

'And yet here is another telling of it that I and my family have to endure.'

He said the programme was 'another telling of [my mother's story] that I and my family have to endure', according to the BBC (Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe pictured)

The gripping adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe's best-selling book tells the story of the Price sisters who were born into the IRA and is based on a true story about a mother of 10 who was abducted in Belfast and never returned  (Lola Petticrew and Hazel Doupe pictured)

Michael highlighted that those who created the series would 'move on,' but he cannot and will have a lasting impact.

Say Nothing author Patrick Radden Keefe told BBC News NI that he had met with representatives from families whose stories are featured in the series to 'make it clear that we were going to approach this story with a great deal of sensitivity'.

He said he wanted to 'do justice to these traumatic and terrible events'.

Jean's remains were ultimately found on Shelling Hill Beach in County Louth in the Republic of Ireland, on August 27, 2003 - nearly three decades after she was abducted.

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Police confirmed she had died from a gunshot wound to the head.

The widow was taken from her house in the republican enclave of the Divis flats on the Falls Road in Belfast on a cold night in December.

She was taken in front of their but her children cannot remember the exact date she was ripped away from them.

Jean was abducted on suspicions she was a British informant.

Her only 'crime' was helping a soldier by putting a pillow under his head as he lay dying in a pool of blood outside her front door.

An investigation by the ombudsman for Northern Ireland found no evidence that she was an informer.

Previously, her son Michael demanded an apology over the baseless accusation that cost Jean her life.

He told The Irish News: 'We as a family want an apology for all the accusations of our mother of having been an informer.

'I'll look for that apology until the day I die. These accusations cause more hurt to our family.'

Maxine Peake stars as Older Dolores Price in the series which follows Jean's harrowing story.

Say Nothing was filmed predominantly in Liverpool and starred Lola Petticrew, Hazel Doupe, Anthony Boyle, and Josh Finan among others.

A synopsis for the series read: 'Spanning four decades, the series opens with the shocking disappearance of Jean McConville, a single mother of 10 who was abducted from her home in 1972 and never seen alive again.'

'Telling the story of various Irish Republican Army (IRA) members, Say Nothing explores the extremes some people will go to in the name of their beliefs, the way a deeply divided society can suddenly tip over into armed conflict, the long shadow of radical violence for all affected, and the emotional and psychological costs of a code of silence.'

'The series stars Lola Petticrew as Dolours Price and Hazel Doupe as Marian Price, young women who became potent symbols of radical politics.'

'Anthony Boyle stars as Brendan Hughes, a charismatic but conflicted military strategist, and Josh Finan as Gerry Adams, a leading political operator who would go on to negotiate peace and has always denied having any involvement with the IRA. Maxine Peake stars as older Dolours Price.'

The series has also earned a coveted 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer.

However, there is no audience score as of yet.

Readers looking to learn more about the Troubles and the birth of the IRA can listen to MailOnline's new podcast: From Bomb to Ballot: The History of Sinn Féin, which launches on November 22.

The podcast will be hosted by Mail Ireland editor, John Lee - and will feature interviews with various high-profile figures, including former PM Bertie Ahern and former IRA members.

MailOnline has contacted Disney+ for a comment.  

Say Nothing Season One is now available to watch on Disney+.