2nd September

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles 2nd

Thursday 2 September 1971

There were further Irish Republican Army (IRA) bombs across the region including one in Belfast which wrecked the headquarters of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). The explosions resulted in further injuries to a number of people.

Saturday 2 September 1972

The headquarters of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), in Glengall Street, Belfast, was severely damaged by a bomb.

Tuesday 2 September 1975

At a conference held in the United States of America (USA) representatives of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) indicated their organisations’ support for an independent Northern Ireland.

Thursday 2 September 1976

European Commission on Human Rights Decision The European Commission on Human Rights decided that Britain had to answer a case of ill-treatment of internees in 1971 before the European Court of Human Rights. The Commission found that the interrogation techniques did involve a breach of the Convention on Human Rights because they not only involved inhuman and degrading treatment but also torture. [The case had been initially referred to the Commission by the Irish government on 10 March 1976. The European Court of Human Rights made its ruling on 18 January 1978.]

Sunday 2 September 1979

The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a covername used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), threatened to target members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Wednesday 2 September 1981

Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), called for the establishment of a ‘Third Force’ along the lines of the disbanded Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) (‘B-Specials’). [Paisley envisage a legal Loyalist paramilitary group which would be used to counter the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and other Republican paramilitary groups.]

Monday 2 September 1985

Tom King replaced Douglas Hurd as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Friday 2 September 1994

The Belfast Telegraph (a Belfast based newspaper) reported the results of an opinion poll conducted by Ulster Marketing Surveys (UMS). It showed that, of those asked, 56 per cent believed that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) ceasefire had come about as a result of a secret deal. When asked about the permanence of the ceasefire only 30 per cent thought it would be permanent. Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said that he would invite other Unionist organisations to join with the DUP to form a pan-Unionist forum.

Monday 2 September 1996

There were sectarian clashes between residents in the Mountcollyer Street and Duncairn Gardens areas of Belfast and British troops were deployed in support of the police.

Wednesday 2 September 1998

The two Scots Guardsmen convicted of the murder of Peter McBride (18) in Belfast on 4 September 1992 were freed from prison. McBride’s family said they were devastated by the decision. Ms Hillary Clinton, wife of the US President, arrived in Belfast to address a ‘Vital Voices, Women In Democracy’ conference. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was reported as having issued a warning to the “real” IRA (rIRA) that it should disband “sooner rather than later”. The IRA also threatened action against members of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee

Thursday 2 September 1999

Ed Moloney, then Northern Editor of the Sunday Tribune (a Dublin based newspaper), failed in his attempt to overturn a court order compelling him to hand over notes of an interview with a man now charged with the killing of Pat Finucane. Moloney was given seven days to comply with the order or face an unlimited fine and / or five years’ imprisonment. Robert McCartney, then MP and leader of the United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP), received substantial damages in a libel action he took against the Financial Times (a London based newspaper).

Sunday 2 September 2001

There was rioting in the Limestone Road area of north Belfast. A number of petrol bombs were thrown at the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and the British Army (BA).

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Remembering all innocent victims of the Troubles

Today is the anniversary of the follow  people killed as a results of the conflict in Northern Ireland

To the innocent on the list – Your memory will live forever

– To  the Paramilitaries  –

“There are many things worth living for, a few things worth dying for, but nothing worth killing for.

4 People lost their lives on the 2nd September  between 1975 – 1989

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02 September 1975

 John Cathcart,  (37)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot at his workplace, National Tyre Company, Frederick Street, Belfast.

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02 September 1976
Patrick Cunningham,  (29)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Died three days after being found shot, Carlow Street, Shankill, Belfast.

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02 September 1989

Patrick McKenna,  (43)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot from passing motorcycle while standing outside Ardoyne shops, Crumlin Road, Belfast.

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02 September 1989

Brian Robinson,  (27)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot by undercover British Army (BA) members, immediately after being involved in gun attack on pedestrians outside Ardoyne shops, Crumlin Road, Belfast.

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Main source CAIN Web Service

• The Shankill Butchers – Documentary & Background
  During the 1970s a group of Protestant paramilitaries embarked on a spree of indiscriminate murder which left thirty Northern Irish Catholics dead. Their leader was Lenny Murphy, a fanatical … Continue reading The Shankill Butchers – Documentary & Background →
• Sergeant Michael Willetts 13th Aug 1943 – 25th May 1971
  In memory of Sergeant Michael Willetts , GC & all other members of HM Armed Forces murdered by Irish Terrorists. See below for the full story of this brave … Continue reading Sergeant Michael Willetts 13th Aug 1943 – 25th May 1971 →
• Bloody Friday Background & Documentary – 21st July 1972
  .Bloody Friday is the name given to the bombings by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Belfast on 21 July 1972. Twenty-six bombs exploded in the space of … Continue reading Bloody Friday Background & Documentary – 21st July 1972 →
• Omagh Bombing – The IRA’s Deadliest Massacre of Civilians
  Omagh Bombing – The IRA’s Deadliest Massacre of Civilians See real IRA page See 29 people Slaughtered by the Real IRA The Omagh bombing was a deliberate massacre of … Continue reading Omagh Bombing – The IRA’s Deadliest Massacre of Civilians →
• The Shankill Bomb
  Disclaimer – The views and opinions expressed in these documentary are soley intended to educate and provide background information to those interested in the Troubles of Northern Ireland. They … Continue reading The Shankill Bomb →

See: 3rd September

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