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Gareth Peirce is a supporting character in the film In the Name of the Father. She is the solicitor for Gerry Conlon and his father Giuseppe Conlon, who sought to free them from prison after they are falsely accused of involvement in the Guildford pub bombing.
She was portrayed by Emma Thompson.
Biography[]
Gareth Peirce first becomes interested in the Conlons' case when she sees the protest organized by Joe McAndrew on television. Giuseppe is perfectly willing to work with her, and warns her about Gerry's bad experience with lawyers. During Gerry's meeting with her, he is uncooperative and expresses that he wants nothing to do with her, in spite of Giuseppe's deteriorating health, telling her not to give any false hope. Gareth is in contact with Gerry's mother, Sarah, and helps her to start a campaign to bring public attention to the issue, despite Gerry's lack of cooperation.
Later on, Gerry lets go of his bitterness as a result of witnessing the horror of Joe McAndrew's ways, and starts to accept Gareth's help. She tasks Gerry to write down every detail that he can remember from the moment he was arrested, but he instead chooses to speak and record on a cassette tape.
At the start of the film, Gareth is seen driving and begins playing the tape. In the tape, Gerry starts his story from the time he caused a riot in Belfast and subsequently moved to London. While listening, she gains an important piece of information to build their case. She learns about Gerry's interaction with Charlie Burke in the park during the bombing; an Irish man who police denied the existence of. As Gerry mentioned that Charlie Burke carved his initials into his preferred bench, she investigates the same park they met in, and finds said bench with the initials.
Gareth arranges an appointment with Chief Inspector Robert Dixon, pleading for a compassionate parole for Giuseppe Conlon due to his declining health. Dixon is unmoved, and only cared about covering up his involvement in the torture of the Guildford Four in order to save his reputation. Despite Gareth reminding him that the true bombers claimed responsibility, Dixon is only able to stand on the false confession Gerry signed, and says he will see what he can do.
When Giuseppe passes away, Gareth is upset about this, and continues to work with Gerry. She manages to get much of the public on her side, and leads protests along with Sarah Conlon with the slogan "Free The Four." Giuseppe's death is brought to the media's attention, and Gareth successfully obtains a court order that allows her to see his police files. However, Dixon orders the clerk not to let her view Gerry's, due to containing evidence of his innocence.
In an effort to weaken the campaign, Gerry is transferred to a prison in Scotland and Gareth Peirce is unable to see him for at least two months. She continues to lead public protests, and continues to view Giuseppe's police files. During one visit, she accidentally passes a cold to the court clerk. On a later visit, the court clerk has been substituted, initially claiming that he is not authorized to allow her to view the files. However, as Gareth has a court case the next day, she convinces him to allow it. He is unaware of Dixon's order to only allow access to Giuseppe's files, and Gareth takes advantage of this opportunity upon realizing. She finds the alibi containing a written statement from Charlie Burke, detailing Gerry's location at the time of the bombing, proving him innocent. In addition, she finds a signed note from Robert Dixon, reading "not to be shown to the defence." She brings this evidence to Gerry, who is furious to find that this evidence was deliberately withheld from court, and cannot fathom how the British government could ever compensate him for what he has been put through.
The Guildford Four are finally brought to their appeal trial, with Gareth Peirce representing the defence. She starts by producing evidence of Charlie Burke's existence, who Dixon claims not to recognize. She reminds him of the alibi containing his statement, which the prosecution is shocked to hear about, and chastises Dixon in a passionate speech. She openly accuses Dixon of destroying the lives of the Guildford Four, and almost gets herself removed from the court. Finally, she shows the signed note from Dixon, asking why the police files were kept from the defence, and Dixon is unable to respond. Despite this, Dixon is set free without charges, which Gareth vigorously opposes. The Guildford Four have their charges cleared and are free to go, and Gareth is seen with Gerry Conlon and his family for his first public appearance outside of prison.
Quotes[]
| “ | Peirce: You wanted to see me, Gerry? [after a long pause] Gerry: Why are you giving my father false hope? Peirce: Sorry? Gerry: He's been up and down these stairs every couple of weeks to see you. He hasn't even seen my mother in six months. Oh, I hear you're getting on with her very well, by the way? Peirce: Yes, she's a very brave woman. Gerry: Aye, you don't know the half of it. The f**king stairs are killing him. Peirce: It's not the stairs that are killing your father, Gerry. Gerry: Aye, what is it then? Peirce: It's your lack of faith. Gerry: Lack of faith? Faith in what? Peirce: In yourself. Gerry: No. I have faith in myself. Gerry Conlon. Lifer. 30-year sentence. And I know how to survive it, no problem. Peirce: At what price? Gerry: I'll pay the f**kin' price, don't you worry about it. Peirce: The price for what? Gerry: Aye. You're very good at the English, aren't you? You see, I don't understand your language. "Justice." "Mercy." "Clemency." I literally don't understand what those words mean. I'd like to put in an application to get all my teeth extracted. That way I could put my fist in my mouth and never speak another word of f**kin' English so long as I live. Do you see what I'm saying... Mrs. Peirce is it? Peirce: Are you trying to impress me? |
„ |
| ~ Gerry and Gareth Peirce during their first meeting. |
| “ | Dixon: I haven't much time between appointments, Mrs Peirce. How can I help you? Peirce: I'm the solicitor for the Conlons, Chief Inspector. Giuseppe Conlon is critically ill, as you may know. I’ve petitioned before the court for his compassionate parole, they want your clearance. Dixon: That will be difficult, these people have committed horrific crimes. Society demands that they serve their time. Peirce: But they didn't do it, Chief Inspector. Dixon: Says who? Peirce: Say the real bombers. They told you they did it, Mr. Dixon. Dixon: Gerry Conlon told me he did it, Mrs. Peirce. These people are liars, liars for a cause – that's the worst kind. Peirce: But he's dying, Giuseppe's dying. Dixon: A lot of people are dying. It's a dirty war. Well. I'll see what I can do. |
„ |
| ~ Gareth Peirce during her appointment with Robert Dixon. |
| “ | Well, I think they ought to take the word 'compassion' out of the English dictionary. | „ |
| ~ Gareth Peirce upon learning about Giuseppe's death. |
| “ | Your Honor, I have not seen my client for two months. He's been moved to Scotland which is seriously impeding my investigation into his case. So I'm filing this motion to gain proper access. | „ |
| ~ Gareth Peirce |
| “ | Well then, would you be so kind as to read the statement that you took from him on the third of November 1974. A statement, Milord, which vindicates these people, all these innocent people. Someone, either that man, or his superior, or his superior's superior, ordered that these people be used as scapegoats by a nation that was baying for blood in return for the innocent blood spilled on the streets of Guildford. And by God, you've got your blood, Mr. Dixon. You've got the blood of Giuseppe Conlon, you've got the lifeblood of Carole Richardson and you've got fifteen years of blood and sweat and pain from my client, whose only crime was he was bloody well Irish, and he was foolish and he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. | „ |
| ~ Gareth Peirce's passionate speech on behalf of the Guildford Four. |
| “ | I have one question to ask you, Mr. Dixon. Why was the alibi for Gerry Conlon who was charged with the murder of five innocent people, kept from the defence? | „ |
| ~ Gareth Peirce upon producing evidence of the police cover-up. |
| “ | What about Giuseppe Conlon, Your Honor? He was an innocent man! | „ |
| ~ Gareth Peirce's pleading to have Giuseppe Conlon declared innocent. |
Gallery[]
