Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
27th February
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Tuesday 27 February 1973
Two Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers were shot by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) near Moira, County Antrim. [One officer died at the scene and the other died from his wounds on 25 March 1973.]
Friday 27 February 1976
Hunger Strikes.
Sunday 27 February 1977
Two members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) were killed when a bomb they were planting exploded prematurely in Exchange Street, Belfast.
A former member of the British army was shot dead by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Belfast.
Friday 27 February 1981
A large van bomb exploded in the centre of Limavady, County Derry, causing damage to 40 premises.
[It was believed that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) were responsible for the attack.]
Sunday 27 February 1983
Charles Haughey, then leader of Fianna Fáil (FF), addressed his party’s conference in Dublin and called on the British and Irish governments to organise a constitutional conference to consider options for the future of Northern Ireland.
Wednesday 27 February 1985
The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) planted a bomb close to Windsor Park in Belfast during a World Cup soccer match between England and Northern Ireland. The bomb was defused The INLA also issued a general death threat against any visiting British sports teams.
Tuesday 27 February 1990
The Irish Times (a Dublin based newspaper) published an article which outlined a set of proposals on Northern Ireland which were purported to have been handed to Tom King, then Secretary of Sate for Northern Ireland, in January 1988 by James Molyneaux, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), and Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
These proposals contained suggestions about the future governance of Northern Ireland. Whilst claiming that the report was not entirely accurate Molyneaux also stressed that Unionists were prepared to discuss the ideas further in future negotiations, if and when the Anglo-Irish Agreement (AIA) was suspended.
Saturday 27 February 1999
David Trimble, First Minster Designate, warned Republicans that he intended to press for the transfer of powers to a new Executive, even without Sinn Féin (SF) participation. The man that Garda Síochána (the Irish police) believed had directed the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998 was reported to have disappeared from his home in the Border area and to have fled the country. Three other people were arrested in the Republic of Ireland in connection with the bombing.
Wednesday 27 February 2002
Martin McGuinness (SF), then Education Minister, launched a draft action plan to address racism within the education system. The plan was drawn up in conjunction with the Equality Commission. McGuinness also launched a leaflet and poster campaign, produced by the Equality Commission and the Irish National Consultative Committee, on racism and inter-culturalism.
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Remembering all innocent victims of the Troubles
Today is the anniversary of the death of the following people killed as a results of the conflict in Northern Ireland
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die
– Thomas Campbell
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.
8 People lost their lives on the 27th February between 1973– 1989
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27 February 1973
Raymond Wylie, (25)
Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during sniper attack on Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) mobile patrol, Aghagallon, near Moira, County Antrim.
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27 February 1973
Ronald Macauley, (42)
Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during sniper attack on Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) mobile patrol, Aghagallon, near Moira, County Antrim. He died on 25 March 1973.
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27 February 1975
Wesley Black, (31)
Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot during gun attack on the home of a Ulster Defence Association member, West Circular Road, Highfield, Belfast. Walking past the house at the time of the attack.
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27 February 1976
Kenneth Lenaghan, (35)
Protestant
Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot from passing car while standing outside Victor’s Bar, Coyle’s Place, Donegall Pass, Belfast.
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27 February 1977
James Cordner, (23)
Protestant
Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Killed in premature explosion while carrying bomb along Exchange Street, off, Corporation Street, Belfast.
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27 February 1977
Joseph Long, (35)
Protestant
Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Killed in premature explosion while carrying bomb along Exchange Street, off, Corporation Street, Belfast
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27 February 1977
John Lee, (35)
Catholic
Status: ex-British Army (xBA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
From Northern Ireland. Shot outside Crumlin Star Social Club, Balholm Drive, Ardoyne, Belfast.
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27 February 1989
Gabriel Mullaly, (54)
Catholic
Status: ex-Royal Ulster Constabulary (xRUC),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by booby trap bomb attached to his car which exploded while travelling along North Road, Bloomfield, Belfast.
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Belfast Child 