Gerry Conlon Quotes in In the Name of the Father (1993)

[after his case is dismissed, and the guards try to escort him out]

Gerry Conlon: I'm a free man, and I'm going out the front door.

[Speaking to people outside the court]

Gerry Conlon: I'm an innocent man. I spent 15 years in prison for something I didn't do. I watched my father die in a British prison for something he didn't do. And this government still says he's guilty. I want to tell them that until my father is proved innocent, until all the people involved in this case are proved innocent, until the guilty ones are brought to justice, I will fight on. In the name of my father and of the truth!

Gerry Conlon: When can I go back to Belfast?

Detective: Next time you'll see Belfast, they'll be flying day trips to the moon.

Gerry Conlon: I always wanted to be an astronaut.

Gareth Peirce: It's not the stairs that are killing your father.

Gerry Conlon: Aye, what is it then?

Gareth Peirce: It's your lack of faith.

Gerry Conlon: Lack of faith? Faith in what?

Gareth Peirce: In yourself.

Gerry Conlon: No. I have faith in myself. Gerry Conlon. Lifer. 30-year sentence. And I know how to survive it, no problem.

Gareth Peirce: At what price?

Gerry Conlon: I'll pay the fuckin' price, don't you worry about it.

Gareth Peirce: The price for what?

Gerry Conlon: 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 fuckin' English so long as I live. Do you see what I'm saying... Mrs. Peirce is it?

Gareth Peirce: Are you trying to impress me?

Gerry Conlon: What I remember most about my childhood is holding your hand. My wee hand in your big hand, and the smell of tobacco. I remember, I could smell the tobacco in the palm of your hand. When I want to feel happy, I try to remember the smell of tobacco.

Giuseppe Conlon: Hold my hand.

Gerry Conlon: Was I always bad, was I?

Giuseppe Conlon: Not always.

Gerry Conlon: I don't deserve to spend the rest of my life in here do I?

Giuseppe Conlon: All they done was block out the light.

[points to his head]

Giuseppe Conlon: They can't block out the light in here.

Gerry Conlon: I'll be older than you when I get out of this place. If I get out. Are you listening to me?

Giuseppe Conlon: I'm not talking to you.

Gerry Conlon: Now who's being childish?

Giuseppe Conlon: I've not heard a sensible word out of you in two weeks. That stuff will kill you.

[talking about drugs]

Gerry Conlon: Sure I'm dead anyway. Look I'm sorry. I'll not take it again as long as you live. Are you happy now?

Giuseppe Conlon: No.

Gerry Conlon: Why not?

Giuseppe Conlon: I don't want you to take it whether I live or die.

Gerry Conlon: Oh, give me strength. Ok, I'll do nothing to annoy you in your grave. Now are you happy?

Giuseppe Conlon: Is that a promise?

Gerry Conlon: Ay, maybe.

Giuseppe Conlon: I'm going to die.

Gerry Conlon: Don't be saying that.

Giuseppe Conlon: I'm scared.

Gerry Conlon: There's no reason to be scared. You have nothing to be scared about.

Giuseppe Conlon: Don't you be comforting me when I can see the truth staring me in the face. I'm scared I'm gonna die here.

Gerry Conlon: You're not dying alright?

Giuseppe Conlon: Can I not say a thing without you contradicting me? I'm scared to leave your mother behind.

Gerry Conlon: Look, you are not going to die alright? If you do, sure I can look after Ma alright.

Giuseppe Conlon: You think I'd leave Sara in your care?

Gerry Conlon: What do you mean?

Giuseppe Conlon: You haven't the maturity to take care of yourself, let alone your mother.

Giuseppe Conlon: I want you have some respect.

Gerry Conlon: Respect for who?

Giuseppe Conlon: For yourself.

Gerry Conlon: That was a good day's work, McAndrew. A good day's work.

Joe McAndrew: Get away from me.

Gerry Conlon: You're not looking me in the eye when you're speaking to me. You see, I know how to look at people without blinking as well. In all my god-forsaken life I have never known what it was like to want to kill somebody until now. You're a brave man, Joe. A brave man.