Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
30th April
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Thursday 30 April 1970
‘B-Specials’ Disbanded
The ‘B-Specials’ (the Ulster Special Constabulary) were officially disbanded. The USC had been replaced by the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) on 1 April 1970.
See B- Specials
Saturday 30 April 1977
Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said that if the forthcoming United Unionist Action Council (UUAC) strike was not a success then he would quit political life in Northern Ireland.
[Most political and media commentators viewed the UUAC strike as a failure however on the 13 May 1977 Paisley declared that the strike had been a success.]
It was alleged by sources ‘close’ to the UUAC that plans had been made to establish a loyalist provisional government in Northern Ireland. There were reports of panic buying of food, bottled gas, and other provisions in the face of the threats to supplies posed by the forthcoming UUAC strike.
Wednesday 30 April 1980
Marion Price, who had been serving a sentence along with her sister Dolours for a car bombing in London on 8 March 197, was released from Armagh women’s prison on humanitarian grounds.
Marion Price had been suffering from anorexia nervosa.
Tuesday 30 April 1991
Preliminary Talks Began
The preliminary round of political talks (later known as the Brooke / Mayhew talks), involving the four main political parties, on the political future of Northern Ireland began.
[Initially there were a series of bilateral meetings between Peter Brooke, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and representatives of the parties.]
Problems soon arise however concerning Strand One of the talks over details such as where the discussions should be held and who should subsequently chair the later stages of these negotiations.
The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a cover name (pseudonym) used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), carried out a gun attack on a bookmaker’s shop in Belfast. Five people were wounded in the attack.
[On of the rifles used in the attacked jammed and this probably saved the lives of some of those in the shop.]
Tuesday 30 April 1996
In response to Dick Spring’s suggestion of 29 April 1996, unionist politicians accused the Irish Government of trying to “appease” the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
Dissident Republican paramilitaries were blamed for planting a car bomb (estimated at 600 pounds) in the centre of Lisburn, County Antrim. The British Army defused the device after a series of telephone warnings were received.
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) issued a statement on the Good Friday Agreement and the issue of decommissioning. The IRA stated that the Agreement “falls short of presenting a solid basis for a lasting settlement” and went on to say: “Let us make it clear that there will be no decommissioning by the IRA”.
Friday 30 April 1999
Johnny Adair, then a leader of the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a cover name (pseudonym) used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), received a slight wound to his head during a pop concert in Belfast. Adair had been on weekend leave from prison when the incident happened.
[Adair claimed that he had been shot in a gun attack by Republicans. Most commentators expressed the view that other Loyalists were responsible.
There was a pipe-bomb attack on Adair on 15 August 2000 and Adair again blamed Republicans even though only Loyalists had previously used pipe-bombs.]
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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.
2 People lost their lives on the 30th April between 1982 – 1983
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30 April 1982
Colin Clifford (21)
nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in land mine attack on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Meenatully, near Belleek, County Fermanagh.
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30 April 1983
David Galway (61)
Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
School Caretaker. Shot during armed robbery at Downey House Preparatory School, Pirrie Park, Belfast.
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Belfast Child 