Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
12th March
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Friday 12 March 1971
Thousands of Belfast shipyard workers took part in a march demanding the introduction of Internment for members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
Saturday 12 March 1977
Roy Mason, then Secretary of State, denied that his officials were engaged in ‘black propaganda’.
Wednesday 12 March 1986
Evelyn Glenhomes, then wanted by British police on suspicion of involvement in the Brighton bombing on 12 October 1984, was arrested in Ireland.
[The British authorities began a process to extradite Glenhomes. However, on 24 March 1986 Glenhomes was released from custody due to administrative errors in the extradition warrant.]
Wednesday 12 March 1997
The Irish News carried a report which claimed that the group ‘Loyalist Solidarity on the Right to March’ was planning to hold a series of rallies in areas where Orange Order parades were being contested.
There was a meeting in Dublin of the Anglo-Irish Conference attended by Patrick Mayhew, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Dick Spring, then Tánaiste (deputy Irish Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs).
In their joint communiqué there was a call for compromise over the issue of contentious parades. Mary Robinson, then President of the Republic of Ireland, announced that she would not be seeking a second term of office.
Thursday 12 March 1998
Gerry Adams, then President of Sinn Féin (SF), travelled to London for talks with Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister.
In the Republic of Ireland the Irish Labour Party has won by-elections in Limerick East and Dublin North, which reduced the government’s overall majority to one.
The punt hit its lowest level against sterling for nine years, closing at 81.95p. Albert Reynolds, formerly Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) announced his retirement when he said that he would not stand for the Daíl at the next general election.
[Reynolds had played a vital role in the Peace Process.]
Friday 12 March 1999
A man was shot in the leg during a paramilitary ‘punishment’ attack in Newry, County Armagh. Republican paramilitaries were believed to have been responsible
Tuesday 12 March 2002
David Trimble (UUP), then First Minister, and Mark Durkan (SDLP), then Deputy First Minister, arrived in Washington, USA, to carry out a series of engagements during a three-day visit. These included meetings with a number of senior representatives of the US administration, among them Colin Powell (Gen.), then Secretary of State.
Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), was also in Washington where he attended the annual dinner of the US Ireland Fund, and was presented with an award for his contribution to the peace process.
The Garda Síochána (the Irish police) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) launched their first formal exchange training programme aimed at forging closer ties between the two services.
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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.
7 People lost their lives on the 12th March between 1972 – 1992
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12 March 1972
Bernadette Hyndman, (24)
Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA)
Shot outside her home during sniper attack on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Abyssinia Street, Lower Falls, Belfast.
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12 March 1973
Edward Sharpe, (28)
Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot by British Army (BA) sniper, at the front door of his home, Cranbrook Gardens, Ardoyne, Belfast.
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12 March 1973
Alan Welsh, (16)
Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Association (UDA),
Killed by: Ulster Defence Association (UDA)
Died one week after being injured in premature explosion at derelict shop, Woodstock Road, Belfast.
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12 March 1974
Billy Fox, (36)
nfNIRI
Status: Civilian Political Activist (CivPA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Fine Gael member of Seanad Eireann. Found shot near to his girlfriend’s home, Tircooney, near Clones, County Monaghan.
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12 March 1975
Joseph Clarke, (18)
Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Died eight days after being shot at his home, Rushfield Avenue, Ballynafeigh, Belfast
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12 March 1975
Raymond Carrothers, (51)
Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot at his home, Orient Gardens, off Cliftonville Road, Belfast.
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12 March 1992
Liam McCartan, (32)
Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot at his home, Alliance Avenue, Ardoyne, Belfast.
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Belfast Child 