Former prisoners work together to break down the barriers in the former wall of peace

Two ex-Troubles prisoners – one republican and one loyalist – work together in a cross-community reconciliation program at a Belfast interface.

Patrick Muckian and Lewis Lyttle, who were both in Maze, are taking part in the critical engagement group at the new Black Mountain Shared Space building which opened in September.

More than 30 meters of the peace wall has been removed to make way for the £7m building at the former Finlay’s factory on Ballygomartin Road.

It provides services for local residents and activities to encourage people from different backgrounds to spend time together.

Mr Lyttle, who says he was a member of the UDA, was sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder and released under the Good Friday Agreement.

He said: “My thinking started to change when I got out (of prison) because for me it was about my children, trying to make a better life for them.

“I grew up during the Troubles and it was tough for anyone in those days. But I want better for my children and grandchildren.”

Mr. Muckian describes himself as a Republican who has supported paramilitary activity. He was convicted in 1994 of attempted murder, although on appeal his conviction was reduced to embezzlement. He was released after three years.

He said: “When I was in prison I started reading about my history, taking part in discussions. In prison you have time to reflect.

“When I got out of prison I got involved in the Sinn Fein movement, giving talks about conflict resolution and getting involved in cross-community groups.”

The two men met when they became involved in a critical engagement group at Black Mountain Shared Space five years ago.

Mr Lyttle said: “This was a 12-week programme, we have now been going for five years. We discuss a wide range of powerful topics.

“I always tell people that when you leave, you leave with your identity. I’m loyal to the core, no one will ever change that.

“But it’s about learning a little bit more about each other’s cultures.”

Mr Muckian said: “Last week we had Paul Maskey (Sinn Fein MP), he was the first politician to come into our group.

“The week after we had John Finucane (Sinn Fein MP) and Philip Brett (DUP MP), Sinn Fein and DUP politicians who both lost family members to the conflict, to tell their stories .

“We had ex-prisoners, loyalists, republicans, ex-servicemen, RUC men.

“Everything destroys their myths, the perceptions that people have.

“We all live together here and we all have to try to accommodate each other.”

The project has been so successful that Mr Lyttle and Mr Muckian are being asked to speak to other groups about their experiences.

Mr Muckian said: “A lot of people have heard about Black Mountain Shared Space and the journey we’ve been on and are looking for us to go and talk to them, to find out how they can do what we’ve done.

“Because of our backgrounds, it was suggested that no one better than the two of us should go and talk because we’ve been through conflict, prison.

“We might argue in a room about a certain topic, but we’ll all walk out of the room with our heads held high and still respect each other’s opinions.”

He added: “We have a working relationship when we meet.

“There are still people who are stuck in the past, they don’t want to move on, they don’t want to see people like me and Lewis talking or trying to get involved.

“We’re still finding our feet five years after meeting, we’re still trying to work things out, we have our arguments, but we can shake hands and say we agree to disagree.

“But a lot of things we agree on, how we move our communities forward is what we agree on.”

Mr Lyttle said: “I will always fight to stay in the UK. He will always fight for a united Ireland. But we can work together.

“I have a right to my beliefs, as much as he has a right to his.

“It doesn’t mean we have to jump over a table and fight each other.

“I’ve been on a massive journey, but I tell people it’s not about me, it’s not about him, it’s about our kids and our grandkids.”

Mr Muckian added: “People are fascinated by the fact that two ex-prisoners can be in a room together.

“It’s through engagement and talking. It costs nothing to talk.”

The Black Mountain Shared Space project was funded by the EU Peace IV Program managed by the EU Special Programs Body (SEUPB). Funding was provided by the Department for Communities and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland. Funding was also provided by Belfast City Council.

Gina McIntyre, Executive Director of SEUPB, said: “Shared spaces benefit everyone by changing attitudes and behaviours, thereby reducing segregation and creating the conditions for greater prosperity, improved public services and education and inclusion.”