Category Archives: Deaths in the Troubles

Deaths in Northern Ireland Troubles

28th June – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, , , , ,

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

28th June

——————————

Sunday 28 June 1970

Around 500 Catholic workers at the Harland and Wolff shipyard were forced to leave their work by Protestant employees. Most of the Catholic workers were unable to return and lost their jobs.

 

Serious rioting continued in Belfast.

 

Thursday 28 June 1973

Northern Ireland Assembly Election

Elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly were contested in Northern Ireland. There was some violence during the day, some of which was directed against a number of polling stations.

However, the turnout was high at 72.3 per cent.

The election gave those parties supporting the White Paper 52 seats whereas those parties against the paper obtained 26 seats. However, a number of the candidates who were elected with the ‘pro-White Paper’ parties were themselves against the proposals so reducing the margin in the new Assembly.

  

Tuesday 28 June 1983

John Hume, then leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), addressed the House of Commons in Westminster in his ‘maiden speech’. He spoke of Britain’s ‘psychological withdrawal’ from Northern Ireland.

Tuesday 28 June 1988

Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister, met Charles Haughey, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), following a European Community summit in Hanover. The British government announced that the Harland and Wolff shipyard was to be privatised.

Friday 28 June 1991

Cahal Daly, then Archbishop, was elevated by the Pope to Cardinal.

Monday 28 June 1993

It was disclosed that the British Labour Party had produced a discussion document in 1992 on the future of Northern Ireland .

The document contained a proposal that, in the absence of agreement between the political parties, there should be joint authority, between Britain and the Republic of Ireland, over Northern Ireland for a period of 20 years.

[The proposals were welcomed by Nationalists but were rejected by Unionists.]

Wednesday 28 June 1995

Patrick Mayhew, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said that if Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries did not decommission their weapons then political talks would proceed without their political representatives.

Friday 28 June 1996

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched an attack at a British Army barracks in Osnabreuck, Germany. Three mortars were fired in the attack but there were no injuries. Several buildings were damaged.

Saturday 28 June 1997

Following an Orange Order parade on the Springfield Road in west Belfast there were scuffles between the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and nationalists.

Monday 28 June 1999

A Catholic woman (45) and her six year old son escaped injury when there was a pipe-bomb attack on their south Belfast home.

Police say bomb disposal experts called to the scene in Belfast’s Finaghy area found the remnants of a pipe-bomb which had been pushed through the letter box in the front door.

The attack was carried out by Loyalist paramilitaries.

The Parades Commission issued its decision on the proposed parade by the Portadown District of the Orange Order along the Garvaghy Road, Portadown, on Sunday 4 July 1999. The decision re-routed the Orange Order parade away from the Garvaghy Road and instructed the order to use the outward route when returning from Drumcree.

The decision followed the breakdown of talks between Garvaghy Road residents and the Orange Order.

The Commission also re-routed the ‘Long March’ away from Nationalist areas of Lurgan, County Armagh, on Friday 2 July 1999.

The press conference at which the decisions were announced was disrupted by a bomb alert, which turned out to be a hoax telephone call.

Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, and Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), began a “final push” to end the impasse over decommissioning and the formation of the Executive. David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), issued a statement on decommissioning.

——————————————

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.

4  People lost their lives on the 28th  June between 1975 – 1980

——————————————

28 June 1975


 Patrick Rolston  (16)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Found shot by entrance to Throne Hospital, Whitewell Road, Greencastle, Belfast.

——————————————

28 June 1976
 John Freeburn   (30)

Protestant
Status: ex-Ulster Defence Regiment (xUDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot while in Celtic Supporters’ Social Club, Edward Street, Lurgan, County Armagh

——————————————

28 June 1976

 


 William Snowdon  (18)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died five days after being injured in a land mine attack on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Drumlougher, near Crossmaglen, County Armagh

——————————————

28 June 1980
 William Elliott   (48)

Protestant
Status: ex-Ulster Defence Regiment (xUDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
From Northern Ireland. Shot at cattle mart, Ballybay, County Monaghan.

—————————————— 

27th June – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, Major events in The Troubles, , , , , , , , , , ,

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

27th June

——————————–

Saturday 27 June 1970 Major Gun Battle in Belfast

Battle of St Matthew's collage 4 500

There was serious rioting in Belfast involving Protestants and Catholics. During the evening groups of Loyalist rioters began to make incursions into the Catholic Short Strand enclave of east Belfast.

Catholics in the area believed that they were going to be burnt out of their homes and claimed that there were no British Army troops on the streets to protect the area. Members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) took up sniping positions in the grounds of St Matthew’s Catholic Church and engaged in a prolonged gun battle with the Loyalists.

This was the most significant IRA operation to date. Across Belfast six people were killed of whom five were Protestants shot by the IRA. A Protestant man was mortally wounded when struck on the head by a missile. He died on 3 July 1970.

See Battle of St Matthew’s

Thursday 27 June 1985

Patrick Morrissey

The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) shot dead a member of the Garda Síochána (the Irish police) during an armed robbery at a post office in Ardee, County Louth, Republic of Ireland.

Douglas Hurd, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, announced that certain community groups in Northern Ireland would receive no further government funding because of their alleged “close links with paramilitary organisations”.

Tuesday 27 June 1995

John Major, then British Prime Minister, and John Bruton, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), agreed to ask European Commission officials to look at ways in which the Commission might assist with the issue of decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.

[Major and Bruton were attending a European Union summit at Cannes at the time.]

Thursday 27 June 1996

Gardí in the Republic of Ireland recovered 100 pounds of home-made explosives at Clones, County Monaghan.

Saturday 27 June 1998

There were clashes between Nationalists and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) in west Belfast during an Orange Order parade.

Two men were killed and another seriously injured when a car ploughed into cyclists who were taking part in the Co-operation North Cross-Border mara-cycle.

The vehicle involved did not stop at the scene of the accident.

[The driver of the car was later arrested.]

Counting in the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections came to a close.

 The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) emerged as the largest party with 28 seats. The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) had 24, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) 20, Sinn Féin (SF) 18, Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) 5, the United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP) 5, Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) 2, Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition (NIWC) 2, Independent Unionist 1, UU 1, and the UUU 1. In a major political breakthrough for the nationalist community, the SDLP emerged as the largest gainers of the first preference vote with 22%.

Sunday 27 June 1999

David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), challenged Sinn Féin (SF) to get a pledge from the Irish Republican Army (IRA) to disarm by May 2000.

Martin McGuinness, then SF’s chief negotiator, said he could not speak on behalf of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Seamus Mallon, then deputy leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), interpreted Trimble’s challenge as indicating an acceptance that the demand for prior disarmament would not be met.

Proximity talks between the Orange Order and representatives of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition (GRRC) failed to reach an agreement over the planned Drumcree Parade on 4 July 1999.

 

——————————————

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.

10 People lost their lives on the 27th   June between 1970 – 1989

——————————————

27 June 1970


 William Kincaid   (28)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during street disturbances, Disraeli Street, off Crumlin Road, Belfast.

——————————————

27 June 1970


 David Loughins   (32)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during street disturbances, Palmer Street, off Crumlin Road, Belfast.

——————————————

27 June 1970


 Alexander Gould   (18)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during street disturbances, Disraeli Street, off Crumlin Road, Belfast.

——————————————

27 June 1970
 Robert Neill   (38)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during street disturbances, at the junction of Central Street and Newtownards Road, Belfast.

——————————————

27 June 1970
 James McCurrie   (34)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during street disturbances, Beechfield Street, Short Strand, Belfast.

——————————————

27 June 1972
 William Galloway   (18)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Association (UDA),

Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot during street disturbances, Edlingham Street, Tiger’s Bay, Belfast.

——————————————

27 June 1972
 Bernard Norney  (38)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot while attempting to drive through Irish Republican Army (IRA) roadblock, Whiterock Road, Ballymurphy, Belfast.

——————————————

27 June 1983


 Malvern Moffatt   (36)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot while cutting hedge, Drumnakilly, near Omagh, County Tyrone.

——————————————

27 June 1985


 Patrick Morrissey   (49)

nfNIRI
Status: Garda Siochana (GS),

Killed by: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
Shot during armed robbery at post office, Ardee, County Louth.

——————————————

27 June 1989


 David Black   (34)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Killed by booby trap bomb attached to his car outside his home, Ballyheather Road, Artigarvan, near Strabane, County Tyrone.

——————————————

 

Battle of St Matthew’s – 27th –28th June 1970

Deaths in the Troubles, Major events in The Troubles, ,

The Battle of St Matthew’s also known as

The Battle of Short Strand

 

The Battle of St Matthew’s or Battle of Short Strand  was a gun battle that took place on the night of 27–28 June 1970 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

It was fought between the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Ulster loyalists in the area around St Matthew’s Roman Catholic church. This lies at the edge of the Short Strand, a Catholic enclave in a mainly-Protestant part of the city. Violence had erupted there, and in other parts of Belfast, following marches by the Orange Order.

The battle lasted about five hours and ended at dawn when loyalists withdrew. The British Army and police were deployed nearby but did not intervene. Three people were killed and at least 26 wounded in the fighting, while another three were killed in north Belfast.

The battle was the Provisional IRA’s first major action during the Troubles and was a propaganda victory for the organization. It presented itself as having successfully defended a vulnerable Catholic enclave from armed loyalist mobs. Loyalists, however, argue that the IRA lured them into a carefully prepared trap.

————————

1969 Northern Ireland Riots and and the Catholic-Protestant

————————

Background

Battle of bogside.jpg

The Northern Ireland riots of August 1969 marked the beginning of the Troubles. In Belfast, Catholic Irish nationalists clashed with Protestant Ulster loyalists and the mainly-Protestant Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), Northern Ireland’s police force.

Catholics believed that they were about to become “victims of a Protestant pogrom” and Protestants believed they were on the “eve of an IRA insurrection”.

Hundreds of Catholic homes and businesses were burnt out and more than 1,000 families, mostly Catholic, were forced to flee.

————————–

Street Riot In Belfast 1970

————————–

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) had few weapons or members and was unable to adequately defend the Catholic areas. The rioting ended with the deployment of British troops. In December 1969, the IRA split into the ‘Official’ IRA and ‘Provisional’ IRA—with the Provisionals vowing to defend Catholic areas in future.

The Short Strand is a Catholic/nationalist enclave in East Belfast, a mainly Protestant/Ulster unionist part of the city. In the early years of the Troubles, Catholics in Short Strand numbered about 6,000, while their Protestant neighbours totalled about 60,000.

 – Disclaimer –

The views and opinions expressed in these pages/documentaries are solely intended to educate and provide background information to those interested in the Troubles of Northern Ireland. They in no way reflect my own opinions and I take no responsibility for any inaccuracies or factual errors.

Preceding violence

The Orange Order Logo.jpg

On Saturday 27 June 1970, a large march by the Orange Order took place in West Belfast, which was joined by Ulster loyalist bands from other parts of the city. Many Protestants saw these marches as part of Protestant culture, while many Catholics/Irish nationalists saw them as provocative displays of Protestant/unionist supremacism. Rioting erupted when the march entered a Catholic neighbourhood; missiles were thrown by both sides, buildings were set ablaze, and the British Army fired CS gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds.

Rioting also erupted on Crumlin Road, the boundary between the Catholic Ardoyne and Protestant Woodvale areas. The rioting developed into a gun battle, in which three loyalists were shot dead by republican paramilitaries. A number of people were wounded, including a Royal Navy petty officer who was shot in the jaw while driving a field ambulance. The fighting took place near Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Battle

Violence erupted at St Matthew’s Catholic church on the evening of 27 June. It began after a loyalist band and supporters marched through the area on their return from the main parade. Rival groups gathered, taunting led to stone-throwing, and eventually shots were fired.

As the situation worsened, Catholic residents feared that the gathering crowds of loyalists would attempt to invade the Short Strand and burn them from their homes.

Local IRA volunteers retrieved weapons from arms dumps. A young resident, Jim Gibney, recalled:

“I saw neighbours, people I knew, coming down the street carrying rifles. I was just dumbstruck by this experience. I’d never seen such a thing before”.

The battle began at about 10pm and would continue for the next five hours.

Loyalists began attacking the church and surrounding property with petrol bombs. A small house in the church grounds, where the sexton lived with his family, was set ablaze. A nearby Catholic pub was also looted and burnt.

M1 Carbine Mk I - USA - Armémuseum.jpg

A small group of IRA volunteers and members of the Citizens’ Defence Committee  took up positions in the church grounds and in adjoining streets. The IRA volunteers were armed with M1 carbines and were led by Billy McKee, commander of the IRA’s Belfast Brigade.

Also present was Billy Kelly, commander of the Belfast Brigade’s 3rd Battalion.  The IRA volunteers fired at the loyalists, some of whom were positioned on the roofs opposite.

Jim Magee, a local loyalist, said he saw wounded people lying on the road and asked the police (RUC) for help. According to Magee,

“[they] said ‘if you have anything, get it out and protect your people’. So we got an old rifle and went into Frazer Street and started firing back”.

 

The security forces were deployed in the area at the time, but did not intervene to end the fighting. Shortly after the shooting began, Stormont MP Paddy Kennedy went with Short Strand residents to the local RUC base and demanded protection for their homes.

Across the River Lagan, in the Markets area, other IRA volunteers assembled and prepared to reinforce the Short Strand should it be invaded. British soldiers eventually arrived in armoured vehicles and cordoned off the roads around the Short Strand, which denied the IRA “any hope of reinforcement”.

At the time, the British Army said that its soldiers fired no shots because “owing to the confused situation, it was impossible to identify targets.

British Army Colonel Mike Dewar later said:

“The whole incident had taken its course because the Army was so chronically overstretched that night in Belfast. The one spare platoon in the whole of west Belfast was not able to get through rioting Protestants to the Short Strand”.

Journalist Tony Geraghty wrote that sometimes “The gunfire eased long enough to allow an occasional British Army personnel carrier (a ‘Pig‘) to whine past, illuminated by the flames in a token gesture of law-and-order”. Another journalist who witnessed the battle, Peter Taylor, later said:

The shooting intensified but the soldiers still declined to intervene and separate the two sides – either because they felt they were not numerically strong enough or because they did not wish to get caught up in the middle of a sectarian fight, in the darkness, with shots being fired by both sides.

Liz Maskey, who was a volunteer nurse that night, said that the Short Strand was surrounded by loyalists and claimed they attacked her ambulance as it tried to leave the area.

The loyalists withdrew after about five hours, as dawn broke. IRA leader Billy McKee claimed that his unit had fired 800 rounds during the battle.

Casualties

Three people were killed in the fighting. At least 26 were wounded — including Billy McKee, who was shot five times.

Deaths

Robert Neil, a 38-year-old Protestant, died instantly when a shot fired from the church bounced off the pavement and hit him in the spine.

James McCurrie, a 34-year-old Protestant, was shot dead on Beechfield Street.

 Henry McIlhone, a 33-year-old Catholic, was helping to defend Short Strand when   he was accidentally shot from the republican side. He died on 29 June.

 

However, McKee maintains that McIlhone was shot by loyalists.  Tírghrá, the IRA’s official list of its fallen, lists McIlhone as a “volunteer” but adds “although not a member of the IRA, Henry McIlhone was included in the republican role of honour as a mark of respect for this great Irishman by republican comrades he fought alongside”.

Aftermath

Republicans and loyalists disagree over who started the violence and fired the first shots. Republicans claim that the violence was started by a mob of loyalists returning from an Orange march. They say that the loyalists tried to set the church alight  and invade Short Strand, with the intention of burning the residents from their homes. , republicans argue that they were defending the Short Strand from loyalist attack. Loyalists claim the violence was begun by republicans; allegedly when the returning Orangemen and supporters were attacked on Newtownards Road.

They argue that republicans attacked Protestants to lure them into “a carefully prepared trap”.

The following day, loyalists expelled 500 Catholic workers from the nearby Harland and Wolff shipyard.Shortly after, the British government’s representative at Stormont said that the decision to allow Orange marches to go ahead on that day was;

“the greatest single miscalculation I have ever seen made in the course of my life”.

Many Catholics and nationalists believed that the IRA had been unable to defend them during the August 1969 riots. However, it is argued that the IRA’s defence of Short Strand redeemed it in the eyes of many Catholics and nationalists.  Among republicans, the battle is seen as a key event in the growth of the Provisional IRA.

Less than a week later, the British Army seized a large haul of Official IRA weapons during a three-day operation in west Belfast. Nationalists saw this as a confiscation of their defences.

battle05 of bogside

See Battle of Bogside

 

 

26th June – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, Major events in The Troubles, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

26th June

——————————-

Friday 26 June 1970

Five People Killed in Premature Explosion

Thomas McCool

Two young girls, aged 9 years and 4 years, died in a premature explosion at their home in the Creggan area of Derry.

Their father, a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), had been making an incendiary device, presumably for use against the British Army. The explosion killed two other members of the IRA.

The girls were the first females to die in ‘the Troubles’.

Bernadette Devlin, Member of Parliament (MP), was arrested and jailed for six months for riotous behaviour during the ‘Battle of the Bogside’.

battle05 of bogside

See Battle of Bogside

There was rioting between the British Army and local residents in Derry following the news of the arrest. The riots spread to Belfast.

Monday 26 June 1972

Start of ‘Truce’

The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) began a “bi-lateral truce” as at midnight.

[The move was made as a prelude to secret talks with the British Government. The ceasefire ended on 9 July 1972.]

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) killed two British Army soldiers in separate attacks during the day.

Tuesday 26 June 1973

senator paddy wilson

Paddy Wilson (39), then a Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Stormont Senator, and Irene Andrews (29), then his secretary, were found stabbed to death in a quarry on the Hightown Road, Belfast.

They had been killed by members of the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) a covername for the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

[John White was later convicted for his part in these killings. White was later to become a leading spokesman for the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) and was involved in the negotiations that led to the ‘Good Friday’ Peace Agreement on 10 April 1998.]

See Paddy Wilson and Irene Andrews killings

A civilian employed by the British Army was shot dead by the IRA as he left an Army base in Derry. A Catholic civilian died four days after been shot by the British Army in Derry.

Thursday 26 June 1980

Miriam Daly, a prominent member of the National H-Block / Armagh Committee, was shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries at her home in Andersontown, Belfast.

Thursday 26 June 1986

A constitution referendum on the issue of divorce was held in the Republic of Ireland.

[When the votes were counted the population had rejected the opportunity to introduce a restricted form of divorce by 63.5 per cent to 36.5 per cent. Many Unionists in Northern Ireland saw the result as confirming their view that the Republic was intolerant of Protestants.

Garret FitzGerald, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), said that the Republic had a long way to go to create “a society that would seem welcoming to, open to and attractive to people of the Northern Unionist tradtion.]

Wednesday 26 June 1991

Maguire Seven Freed The convictions of the group of people known as the ‘Maguire Seven’ were quashed by the Court of Appeal in London. The seven had been convicted of supplying the bombs that were used in Guildford and Woolwich.

[This was the latest in a series of high profile cases of miscarriage of justice involving Irish people living in England.]

Saturday 26 June 1993

John Major, then British Prime Minister, began a two-day visit to Northern Ireland. Major called for a resumption of political talks between the constitutional parties.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) moved to prevent an Orange Order parade close to the peace line in the Springfield area of Belfast. The action led to rioting.

Brian McCallum (26), a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), was mortally wounded when a grenade he was handling exploded prematurely. Eighteen other people were injured.

[McCallum died on 29 June 1993.]

Monday 26 June 1995

The High Court in Belfast awarded compensation to the mother of Karen Reilly (16) who was shot dead by a British soldier on 30 September 1990.

lee glegg

[The amount of the compensation was not disclosed. Reilly had been shot dead by Lee Clegg, a paratrooper with the British Army, during a ‘joyriding’ incident. Clegg was released from prison on 3 July 1995.]

See Lee Clegg

Wednesday 26 June 1996

David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), admitted bringing pressure to bear on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) over the events on the Garvaghy Road in 1995.

Trimble had pressed for prosecutions against the leaders of the Garvaghy Road residents who had opposed the 1995 Drumcree Orange march. Prosecutions were dismissed. Veronica Guerin, an investigative journalist in Dublin, was shot dead near to Dublin.

Thursday 26 June 1997

The Fianna Fáil (FF) party appointed Ray Burke as Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs. It was also announced that David Andrews (FF) would be Minister for Defence and Liz O’Donnell (Progressive Democrats) would be Junior Minister for Foreign Affairs, and that both these ministers would assist Burke at Stormont.

[These appointments were part of the cabinet announced by Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), following the general election in the Republic of Ireland on 6 June 1997.]

Friday 26 June 1998

As counting got under way in the Northern Ireland Assembly election the relatively poor early showing of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) resulted in the bitter divisions within the party becoming public.

Jeffrey Donaldson, then UUP Member of Parliament (MP), who opposed the Good Friday Agreement accused his party colleague, Ken Maginnis, in a televised debate of:

“presiding over an electoral disaster”.

Maginnis replied by accusing Donaldson of “gloating over the difficulties that he and others like him” had created for the party.

Both nationalist parties, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Sinn Féin (SF), were pleased with a strong first preference showing

Monday 26 June 2000

IRA Arms Inspected

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) issued a statement to say that it had opened some of its arms dumps to be viewed by the independent weapons inspectors. Cyril Ramaphosa and Martti Ahtisaari, then independent weapons inspectors, held a meeting with Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, in Downing Street and confirmed that the inspection had taken place.

 

——————————————

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.

18 People lost their lives on the 26th   June between 1970 – 1993

——————————————

26 June 1970


 Thomas McCool  (40)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died in premature explosion of incendiary device at his home, Dunree Gardens, Creggan, Derry.

——————————————

26 June 1970
 Bernadette McCool   (9)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died in premature explosion of incendiary device at her home, Dunree Gardens, Creggan, Derry.

——————————————

26 June 1970
 Carol Ann McCool  (4)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died in premature explosion of incendiary device at her home, Dunree Gardens, Creggan, Derry.

——————————————

26 June 1970


 Joseph Coyle   (40)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died in premature explosion of incendiary device at the McCool household, Dunree Gardens, Creggan, Derry

——————————————

26 June 1970


 Thomas Carlin  (55)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Injured in premature explosion of incendiary device at the McCool household, Dunree Gardens, Creggan, Derry. He died 8 July 1970.

——————————————

26 June 1972


 David Houston   (22)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot attempting to stop bomb attack on The Stables Bar, Water Street, Newry, County Down.

——————————————

26 June 1972
 James Meredith   (20)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot while on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Abercorn Road, Derry.

——————————————

26 June 1972


 Malcolm Banks   (30)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot by sniper while on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, junction of Seaforde Street and Comber Street, Short Strand, Belfast.

——————————————

26 June 1972
 John Black  (32)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Association (UDA),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Died five weeks after being shot at barricade during street disturbances, Douglas Street, off Beersbridge Road, Belfast.

——————————————

26 June 1973


 Paddy Wilson  (39)

Catholic
Status: Civilian Political Activist (CivPA),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Stormont Senator and Councillor. Together with his secretary, found stabbed to death in quarry, Hightown Road, near Belfast, County Antrim.

See Paddy Wilson and Irene Andrews killings

——————————————

26 June 1973


 Irene Andrews  (29)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Together with Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Stormont Senator and Councillor, Paddy Wilson, found stabbed to death in quarry, Hightown Road, near Belfast, County Antrim.

See Paddy Wilson and Irene Andrews killings

——————————————

26 June 1973
 Noorbaz Khan  (45)

nfNI
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Civilian employed by British Army (BA). Shot shortly after driving out of Bligh’s Lane British Army (BA) base, Creggan, Derry.

——————————————

26 June 1973


 Robert McGuinness  (22)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Died four days after being shot while walking along Brandywell Avenue, Derry

——————————————

26 June 1976
 Daniel Mackin  (20)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Found stabbed to death, Brookvale Street, off Cliftonville Road, Belfast.

——————————————

26 June 1980


 Miriam Daly  (45)

Catholic
Status: Civilian Political Activist (CivPA),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) member. Found shot at her home, Andersonstown Road, Andersonstown, Belfast.

——————————————

26 June 1981
 Vincent Robinson   (29)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Found shot, Divis Flats, Belfast. Alleged informer.

——————————————

26 June 1987


 John Tracey  (46)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot while renovating house, Surrey Street, off Lisburn Road, Belfast.

——————————————

26 June 1993
 John Randall  (19)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot by sniper, while on British Army (BA) foot patrol, crossing field, near Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.

——————————————

Senator Paddy Wilson and Irene Andrews

Deaths in the Troubles, Major events in The Troubles, , ,

Paddy Wilson and Irene Andrews killings

 

The killings of Paddy Wilson and Irene Andrews took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland on the night of 25/26 June 1973. The victims, Roman Catholic Senator Paddy Wilson and his Protestant friend, Irene Andrews, were hacked and repeatedly stabbed to death by members of the “Ulster Freedom Fighters” (UFF).

 

John White

 

This was a cover name for the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), a then-legal Ulster loyalist paramilitary organisation. John White, the UFF’s commander, who used the pseudonym “Captain Black”, was convicted of the sectarian double murder in 1978 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

White, however maintained that the UFF’s second-in-command Davy Payne helped him lead the assassination squad and played a major part in the attack. Although questioned by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) after the killings, Payne admitted nothing and was never charged.

— Disclaimer –

The views and opinions expressed in this post/documentaries  are soley intended to educate and provide background information to those interested in the Troubles of Northern Ireland. They in no way reflect my own opinions and I take no responsibility for any inaccuracies or factual errors.

———————————————————

 

SDLP logo

 

Wilson was one of the founders and General Secretary of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Irene Andrews was noted in Belfast as a popular ballroom dancer.

Their mutilated bodies were found lying in pools of blood on either side of Wilson’s car, which was parked in a quarry off the Hightown Road near Cavehill. Wilson had been hacked and stabbed 30 times and his throat cut from ear to ear. Andrews had received 20 knife wounds. The killings were described by the judge at White’s trial as “a frenzied attack, a psychotic outburst”.

Paddy Wilson and Irene Andrews killings
Paddy wilson and irene andrews.jpg

Victims Irene Andrews and Senator Paddy Wilson
Location Quarry off the Hightown Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Date 25/26 June 1973
Attack type
 Stabbing
Deaths 2 civilians
Perpetrator Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF

The double killings

On the evening of 25 June 1973, Stormont Senator Paddy Wilson (39), a Roman Catholic native of Belfast’s Sailortown, and General Secretary and founder of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), had been drinking at the Old Vic Lounge inside McGlade’s Bar, a fashionable pub located in Donegall Street, Belfast city centre.

He was in the company of a Protestant friend, Irene Andrews (29), who worked as a clerk in the Department of Education and was one of Belfast’s most popular ballroom dancers who had been a member of Northern Ireland’s “Come Dancing” team.

According to Peter McKenna, a journalist for the Irish Independent who had been socialising with Wilson, Andrews and others on the night, an inebriated Andrews had spent much of the night making passes at Wilson but he had rejected her advances and had asked for McKenna to make an “urgent” phone call to the pub calling him away in an attempt to separate himself from Andrews. The ruse was not successful, however, and Wilson and Andrews left the pub together.

He offered her a lift back to her home on the Crumlin Road and they drove away from the pub at about 11:30pm in Wilson’s red mini. The couple never arrived at their destination.

At 1:30am, the loyalist Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), using their codename “Captain Black”, called the Belfast News Letter advising them that:

” tonight we have got Senator Paddy Wilson and a lady friend. Their bodies are lying in the Hightown Road.”

The UFF had been founded that same year by John White, who employed the pseudonym “Captain Black”. The UFF was a cover name to claim attacks carried out by the then-legal Ulster Defence Association to avoid the latter’s proscription by the British Government. “Captain Black” furthermore claimed that the killings were in retaliation for the shooting death of a mentally-retarded Protestant teenager the previous summer by the Provisional IRA.

The mutilated bodies of Wilson and Andrews were discovered by the security forces at 4am. They were lying in pools of blood on either side of Wilson’s Mini at a quarry off the Hightown Road near Cavehill as described by the UFF caller.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and British Army had proceeded carefully to the quarry in case the bodies had been booby-trapped. Wilson had been stabbed to death 30 times and his throat sliced from ear-to-ear. There was evidence that he had put up a struggle before he was killed.

Andrews had received 20 knife wounds. A UFF Brigade Staff member described the killings to a journalist as ritualistic ,  in addition to the multiple stabbings, Irene Andrews also had her breasts hacked off.

Oldpark Wards.png

The killings took place at the quarry and it was suggested by police that Wilson’s Mini had been stopped on the road leading to Ballysillan and they were forced at gunpoint to drive out to the quarry.

According to Martin Dillon forensic evidence indicated that Wilson had been dragged from the car and pinned to the ground where he was stabbed and Andrews was killed afterwards. Dillon speculated that the killers had made Andrews watch Wilson being killed.

Liam Cosgrave crop.png

There was widespread shock and condemnation throughout the North in the wake of the killings. Politicians, including Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave and SDLP leader Gerry Fitt, personally offered their condolences to the Wilson and Andrews’ families, whilst Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley blamed the IRA.

According to Peter Taylor, there had never been a crime so brutal carried out in Northern Ireland before.

Author Dervla Murphy in her travel book, A Place Apart (based on her experiences in Northern Ireland), stated that nine months before the double killing, a loyalist community newspaper had published allegations regarding a possible relationship between a prominent member of the SDLP and a young Protestant woman from Belfast’s Crumlin Road.

Conviction

UFF leader and self-styled “Captain Black” John White confessed to the killings during a police interrogation for other offences at the Castlereagh Holding Centre in 1976. He was convicted of the murders in 1978 and given two life sentences.

The trial judge described the killings as “a frenzied attack, a psychotic outburtst”. White maintained that the UFF’s second-in-command (and later North Belfast UDA brigadier) Davy Payne, also known as “The Psychopath”, was part of the assassination squad and played a leading role in the killings. Historian Ian S. Wood confirmed Payne’s central involvement in the double killing.

Although Payne had been questioned by the RUC after the killings, he admitted nothing and never faced any charges. It was alleged that whenever Payne wished to frighten or intimidate others he would shout:

“Do you know who I am? I’m Davy Payne. They say I killed Paddy Wilson”.

 

Following White’s release from the Maze Prison in 1992, he joined the Ulster Democratic Party. A prominent figure in the Northern Ireland Peace Process, in 1996 he comprised part of a four-man loyalist delegation to 10 Downing Street where he met British Prime Minister John Major.

Railway Road bomb 1973.jpeg

Later when asked why he had perpetrated the killings, White claimed that they were carried out to strike fear into the Catholic community after the IRA’s 1973 Coleraine bombings. Regarding Irene Andrews, White replied:

“We didn’t know she was a Protestant, we just thought she was a Catholic to be honest”.

25th June – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

25th June

Monday 25 June 1973

Three members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) were killed when a bomb they were transporting exploded prematurely on the Gortin Road, near Omagh, County Tyrone.

A Protestant civilian was shot dead by Loyalists in Belfast.

Friday 25 June 1976

Three Protestant civilians were shot dead during a gun attack on The Store Bar, Lyle Hill Road, Templepatrick, County Antrim.

The attack was carried out by a group called the Republican Action Force (RAF), believed to be a covername for some members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Wednesday 25 June 1980

The Democratic Party in the United States of America (USA) adopted as policy a proposal put forward by Edward Kennedy, then a Senator. The new policy called for an end to the divisions of the Irish people and a solution based on the consent of all of the parties.

Tuesday 25 June 1985

The United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) sign a bilateral treaty that would prevent people facing extradition from claiming that their crimes had a political motive.

Thursday 25 June 1992

James Molyneaux, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), together with Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), put a motion before the House of Commons which called for the setting up of a Northern Ireland Select Committee.

The motion was supported by the Liberal Democrats, and the Welsh and Scottish Nationalist parties. However the government opposed the motion which failed to gain sufficient suppport.

Wednesday 25 June 1997

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) carried out a search of a house in Dunmurray, Belfast, and found a number of AK47 rifles.

The police had earlier gone to the wrong address.

Colin Duffy was charged with the murder of two RUC officers in Lurgan on 16 June 1997. Duffy’s solicitor alleged that the RUC had mistreated Duffy while in custody.

The British and Irish governments announced that they were giving the Irish Republican Army (IRA) a period of five weeks during which to call an unequivocal ceasefire.

Following any ceasefire a further period of six weeks would then elapse before Sinn Féin (SF) could enter the talks at Stormont when they resumed on 15 September 1997. The talks were scheduled to conclude in May 1998.

[SF later called for “clarification” of the statement but were told that they would not be given any.]

Friday 25 June 1999

Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, rejected demands for an Inquiry into the killing of Billy Wright inside the Maze Prison on 27 December 1997.

billy writgt

See Billy Wright

Tony Blair, the British Prime Minster, and Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), travelled to Belfast for a series of meetings at Stormont with the political parties.

[These meetings were held prior to a week of intensive negotiations, beginning on Monday 28 June. The deadline for overcoming the political impasse had been set for 30 June.]

  

——————————————

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.

11 People lost their lives on the 25th  June between 1972 – 1987

——————————————

25 June 1972
 James Bonner  (19)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot while travelling in stolen car, Whiterock Road, Ballymurphy, Belfast.

——————————————

25 June 1973


 Joseph Cunningham   (36)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot at his home, Nore Street, Lower Oldpark, Belfast. Alleged informer.

——————————————

25 June 1973
 Sean Loughran   (37)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died in premature bomb explosion while travelling in car, Gortin Road, near Omagh, County Tyrone.

——————————————

25 June 1973
 Patrick Carty  (26)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died in premature bomb explosion while travelling in car, Gortin Road, near Omagh, County Tyrone.

——————————————

25 June 1973
 Dermot Crowley   (18)

nfNI
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA), Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
From County Cork. Died in premature bomb explosion while travelling in car, Gortin Road, near Omagh, County Tyrone.

——————————————

25 June 1976
 Ruby Kidd  (28)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Republican Action Force (RepAF)
Shot during gun attack on Walker’s Bar, Lyle Hill Road, Templepatrick, County Antrim.

——————————————

25 June 1976
 Francis Walker   (17)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Republican Action Force (RepAF)
Shot during gun attack on Walker’s Bar, Lyle Hill Road, Templepatrick, County Antrim

——————————————

25 June 1976
 Joseph McBride   (56)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Republican Action Force (RepAF)
Shot during gun attack on Walker’s Bar, Lyle Hill Road, Templepatrick, County Antrim

——————————————

25 June 1978
 Patrick McEntee   (54)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Found shot, Ballsmill, near Forkhill, County Armagh. Alleged informer.

——————————————

25 June 1978
 Alan Ferguson   (23)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during sniper and landmine attack on British Army (BA) Armoured Personnel Carrier, Belcoo, County Fermanagh

——————————————

25 June 1987


 Dominic O’Connor   (30)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot outside his home, Springfield Road, Belfast.

——————————————

 

24th June – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

24th June

Tuesday 24 June 1969

The Parliamentary Commissioner Act (Northern Ireland) became law. The act provided for a Commissioner to investigate complaints of maladministration against government departments.

Saturday 24 June 1972

David Moon, one of the victims

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) killed three British Army soldiers in a land mine attack near Dungiven, County Derry.

Monday 24 June 1974

  

Gerard Craig  &  David Russell

Two members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) were killed in a premature explosion while planting a bomb at a shop on Greenhaw Road, Shantallow, Derry.

Tuesday 24 June 1986

Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said that Northern Ireland was on the verge of civil war.

Thursday 24 June 1993

Michael Mates, then a Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister, resigned his post. [He was replaced by John Wheeler.]

Friday 24 June 1994

John Major, then British Prime Minister, held a meeting with Albert Reynolds, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), during a European Union conference in Corfu.

Saturday 24 June 1995

There was a clash between Sinn Féin (SF) supporters and Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers during a protest against an Orange Order parade in the Whiterock area of Belfast.

Wednesday 24 June 1998

A Republican paramilitary group exploded a car bomb, estimated at 200 pounds, in the centre of Newtownhamilton, County Armagh. A 50 minute warning about the bomb had been received but people were still being cleared when it exploded and six people, including a 15 year old boy, were injured.

The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) claimed responsibility for the bomb.

[Security sources believed that the “real” Irish Republican Army (rIRA) was involved in supplying the INLA with Semtex commercial explosive which was thought to have been used as a component in the bomb.]

Thursday 24 June 1999

Officers in the Traffic Branch of the Garda Síochána (the Irish police) intercepted 300lb of explosives in a car outside Letterkenny in the Republic of Ireland.

William Stobie (48), of Forthriver Road, Belfast, was charged with the killing of the Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane on 12 February 1989.

William Stobie.jpg

Stobie, who had served in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR), was remanded in custody to the Maze Court on 14 July 1999. Stobie was claimed to have been the west Belfast quartermaster for the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a cover name (pseudonym) used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

His lawyers claimed that Stobie had been an informer for Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Special Branch at the time of the killing.

See William “Billy” Stobie

The Orange Order began a 10 day ‘Long March’ from Derry to Drumcree. The march was in support of Protestant rights and the Portadown Orangemen who wished to march down the Garvaghy Road on 4 July 1999

——————————————

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.

11 People lost their lives on the 24th June between 1972 – 1993

——————————————

24 June 1972
 Christopher Stevenson  (24)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in land mine attack on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, Crabarkey, near Dungiven, County Derry.

——————————————

24 June 1972


 David Moon   (24)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in land mine attack on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, Crabarkey, near Dungiven, County Derry.

——————————————

24 June 1972
 Stuart Reid   (26)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in land mine attack on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, Crabarkey, near Dungiven, County Derry.

——————————————

24 June 1972
 John Brown   (29)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Association (UDA),

Killed by: Ulster Defence Association (UDA)
Found shot near his home, Blackmountain Parade, Springmartin, Belfast. Internal Ulster Defence Association dispute.

——————————————

24 June 1974


 Gerard Craig  (17)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in premature explosion while planting bomb at supermarket, Greenhaw Road, Shantallow, Derry.

——————————————

24 June 1974


 David Russell   (18)

Protestant
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in premature explosion while planting bomb at supermarket, Greenhaw Road, Shantallow, Derry

——————————————

24 June 1975


 Alan Ralph  (25)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot shortly after leaving work, while getting into his car, Balfour Avenue, off Ormeau Road, Belfast

——————————————

24 June 1979
 Joseph Porter   (63)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot near to his home, Mountnorris, near Markethill, County Armagh.

——————————————

24 June 1987


 Thomas Wilson   (35)

Catholic
Status: Civilian Political Activist (CivPA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Workers’ Party activist. Found shot, in entry, off Rodney Parade, Falls, Belfast. Alleged informer.

——————————————

24 June 1989
 Liam McKee   (36)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot at his home, Donard Drive, Tonagh, Lisburn, County Antrim.

——————————————

24 June 1993


 John Lyness   (57)

Protestant
Status: ex-Ulster Defence Regiment (xUDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot outside his home, Lime Grove, Lurgan, County Armagh.

——————————————

William ” Billy “Stobie 1950 – 12 Dec 2001

Deaths in the Troubles, Major events in The Troubles, , , ,

William “Billy” Stobie

———————————————

The views and opinions expressed in this documentary/ies and page are soley intended to educate and provide background information to those interested in the Troubles of Northern Ireland.

They in no way reflect my own opinions and I take no responsibility for any inaccuracies or factual errors

———————————————

William “Billy” Stobie (1950 – 12 December 2001) was an Ulster Defence Association (UDA) quartermaster and RUC Special Branch informer  who was involved in the shootings of student Brian Adam Lambert in 1987 and solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989.

See Pat Finucane

His 1990 admissions, to journalist Neil Mulholland, provided new information which led, in February 1999, to British Irish Rights Watch submitting a confidential report to the British Government.

This in turn would lead to the reopening of the Stevens Enquiry, which uncovered state/paramilitary collusion at a level “way beyond” what Sir John Stevens had originally reported.

William Stobie
William Stobie.jpg

 

Stobie leaving court in 2001
Born William Stobie
1950
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died 12 December 2001 (age 51)
Glencairn estate, Belfast
Cause of death Multiple gunshot wounds
Nationality British
Organization Ulster Defence Association
Known for Special Branch agent
Title Quartermaster
Religion Protestantism

Early life

Stobie was a native of loyalist west Belfast who joined the UDA for the first time around the time of its foundation in 1971. After a short spell he left and joined the British Army, serving outside Northern Ireland. Returning to Belfast when his spell in the army ended he rejoined the UDA and served the organisation as an armourer.

Stobie had initially applied to join the Ulster Volunteer Force but was rejected by that organisation, which feared that he might be a government agent due to his time in the army, and instead rejoined the UDA, joining A Company of the UDA West Belfast Brigade in Highfield.

Brian Adam Lambert

On 8 November 1987, the IRA detonated a powerful bomb at the Enniskillen Remembrance Sunday ceremony killing eleven.

enniskillenpoppydayexplosion25thanniv011

See Enniskillen Remembrance Bomb

There was no immediate direct reprisal, partially as a result of an appeal by Gordon Wilson, father of one of the victims. The exception to this was when Brian Adam Lambert was mistakenly targeted and shot the following day at a building site in Highfield, Belfast. He was a 19-year-old Protestant student with no criminal record or paramilitary links, but was assumed to have been a Catholic.

At the Stevens Enquiry (“Overview & Recommendations”), Stobie admitted supplying the guns for the attack and driving Stephen Harbinson in the getaway car. Both Stobie and Harbinson stated they were sickened by the mistake and for the first time Stobie realised that the UDA was unprofessional. Harbinson was also arrested; he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Following his release under the Good Friday Agreement he skipped bail on drug dealing charges in Northern Ireland. He was rearrested on the Costa Del Sol on separate charges of drug trafficking, kidnapping and arms possession. Once more he was given bail and disappeared.

Discovery as an informer

Stobie’s informing did not go unnoticed and in May 1992 he narrowly avoided being killed by other members of the West Belfast Brigade who suspected he was a “tout”. At the time Stobie was operating the switchboard at Circle Taxis on the Shankill when their offices were raided by the police and the owners questioned about a taxi that had been ordered to the Glencairn estate.

MadDogAdair.jpg

This car had been hijacked whilst on that call by the UVF and used in an abortive operation by the group. West Belfast brigadier Johnny Adair was told by a friend that Stobie had told the police about the incident and it was decided that he would be shot as an informer.

On the evening of 21 May 1992, Stobie was called to the house of Jackie Thompson on Snugville Street where a party was being held, with Adair and fellow UDA members Donald Hodgen, Tommy Potts and others in attendance. Stobie did not attend so Thompson and Hodgen drove up to his house and dragged him out. They took him to an alleyway where Adair was waiting and after a struggle a fleeing Stobie was shot five times in the back and legs.

However he survived the attack despite his injuries.

Pat Finucane

Patrick Finucane

According to Henry McDonald and Jim Cusack, Stobie provided the gun used to kill Pat Finucane and they further claimed that once he gave the weapon to the hit team he called the RUC to let them know that a killing was about to take place.

In April 1999, as part of the Stevens Enquiry, Stobie was arrested and charged with Finucane’s murder. In June that year, as agreed, journalist Ed Moloney published Stobie’s version of the circumstances of Finucane’s death.The charges were later commuted to aiding and abetting the murder. Stobie’s trial eventually collapsed because of the failure of Neil Mulholland, by now Northern Ireland Office Press Officer, to take the witness stand.

See Pat Finucane

Stevens 3

Stobie was rearrested and charged with murder as a result of Stevens 3. At his trial the chief witness, Neil Mullholland, refused to take the witness stand and Stobie was released. In his overview and recommendations John Stevens stated:

“I have uncovered enough evidence to lead me to believe that the murders of Patrick Finucane and Brian Adam Lambert could have been prevented”.

Death

In 2001, Stobie let it be known that he would be willing to testify at an inquiry into Finucane’s killing, stating that he would not name loyalists but would name their RUC “handlers”. By declaring that he supported the Finucane family’s demand for a public inquiry he effectively made himself a target for his former UDA comrades.

On 12 December 2001, Stobie was shot dead outside his home at Forthriver Road, Glencairn, Belfast. The Red Hand Defenders (RHD) claimed responsibility. Stobie’s killers, who shot him five times, had actually belonged to the UDA and were using the Red Hand Defenders cover name. 

In a statement made by a masked paramilitary after the killing it was claimed:

“Billy Stobie could have stayed on the Shankill and been left alone had he not spoken out on Ulster Television and backed the public inquiry [into the Finucane killing,  He betrayed his comrades by doing that and for that reason he paid for his treason”

 

 

Who wants… A signed copy of my No.1 best selling book ? Makes a great Xmas gift for book lovers & those interested in the Troubles & the crazy, mad days my generation lived through.

Click here to order : https://tinyurl.com/2p9b958v

UK orders only – if you live outside the UK email me belfastchildis@googlemail.com and Ill send you a link for ordering outside the UK.

23rd June – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, , , , , ,

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

23rd June

———————————————

Tuesday 23 June 1970

A five-year economic plan was published for Northern Ireland

Saturday 23 June 1973

Harold Wilson, then leader of the Labour Party, said that if the principals in the White Paper were rejected it might be necessary to reconsider the relationship between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Sunday 23 June 1985

The security service in England said that it had uncovered a plan by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) to launch a bombing campaign mainly against English seaside resort towns.

Monday 23 June 1986

Northern Ireland Assembly Dissolved

The Northern Ireland Assembly was officially dissolved. A group of 200 Loyalist protesters gathered outside Stormont and when trouble erupted the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) baton-charged the crowd.

Inside the debating chamber 22 Unionist politicians refused to leave the building.

[Early the next day the RUC removed the Unionist politicians, including Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).]

Friday 23 June 1995

Prince Charles paid a visit to Northern Ireland. In Belfast he met members of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) while visiting the Shankill Road. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) launched a Unionist Labour group. The new group was supported by Michael Connarty, then Labour MP for Falkirk.

Monday 23 June 1997

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) warned 13 Catholics that their names were on a Loyalist paramilitary ‘hit list’.

Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, held a meeting with residents from the Bogside area of Derry to discuss the ‘marching season’.

The British and Irish governments agreed to appoint a sub-committee of the talks to decide on the issue of decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.

A Document on Decommissioning was published.

United Technology Automotive in Derry announced that it was closing its factory in the Creggan area of the city with the loss of all 525 jobs.

[This was a severe blow to an area of high unemployment.]

Tuesday 23 June 1998

The “real” Irish Republican Army (rIRA) was thought to be responsible for an explosion at 2.30am which damaged a road near Forkhill in County Armagh. No one was hurt in the explosion which may have been targeted at the security forces.

Wednesday 23 June 1999

Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, demanded “an absolute commitment to decommissioning” on the part of paramilitary groups. Blair’s comments followed confirmation that the head of the International Commission, Gen John de Chastelain, had been asked to produce a report on the arms issue by Tuesday.

Saturday 23 June 2001

Loyalists Kill Catholic Man

John Henry McCormick (25), a Catholic civilian, was shot dead in the Ballysally area of Coleraine, County Derry.

Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers said that they believed he had been shot by Loyalist paramilitaries.

[The RUC had visited McCormick on Thursday 21 June 2001 and advised him of a threat to his life. The family had been attacked with a pipe-bomb during May 2001.]

There was an annual general meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council (UUC), the policy-making body of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).

David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) repeated his threat to resign as first minister on 1 July 2001.

Trimble successfully avoided a leadership challenge and was elected unopposed by Council members

——————————————

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.

5  People lost their lives on the 23rd June between 1972 – 2001

——————————————

23 June 1972


 Patrick McCullough  (17)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Shot from passing car while standing at the corner of Antrim Road and Atlantic Avenue, New Lodge, Belfast.

——————————————

23 June 1987


 Robert Guthrie   (41)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot while driving his car into the rear entrance of Antrim Road Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) base, Belfast.

——————————————

23 June 1993


 Joseph Mulhern  (24)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Found shot by side of road, Ballymongan, near Castlederg, County Tyrone. Alleged informer.

——————————————

23 June 1996
 Niall Donovan   (28)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Died several hours after being found stabbed, by the side of Manse Road, Dungannon, County Tyrone.

——————————————

23 June 2001
 John McCormick   (25)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Shot at his home, Loughanhill Park, Ballysally, Coleraine, County Derry.

——————————————

22nd June – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

22nd June

——————————–

Saturday 22 June 1968

The Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC) staged a protest by blocking the Lecky Road in the Bogside area of Derry

Monday 22 June 1970

Bernadette Devlin, then Member of Parliament (MP), lost her appeal against a six-month prison sentence imposed for taking part in riots in Derry. She was arrested on 26 June 1970.

Wednesday 22 June 1971

A system of committees to oversee control of key government departments was proposed by Brian Faulkner, then Northern Ireland Prime Minister. This system was seen as a way of providing a role for opposition parties at Stormont.

[The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) initially welcomed the proposal but events were to result in the withdrawal of the SDLP from Stormont.]

 Thursday 22 June 1972

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) announced that it would call a ceasefire from 26 June 1972 provided that there is a “reciprocal response” from the security forces.

At approximately 12.00 pm four men were shot and injured in the Glen Road area of west Belfast.

[On 1 December 2015 the PSNI listed this shooting as one of nine incidents it was investigating in relation to the activities of the British Army’s Military Reaction Force (MRF).]

military reaction force

See Military Reaction Force

Saturday 22 June 1974

A Catholic civilian was shot dead by a British soldier following an altercation in Olympic Drive, Strabane, County Tyrone.

[The following day the soldier involved in the shooting was charged with murder. This was the first British soldier to be charged with murder during the conflict.]

Daniel O’Connor

A Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer was shot dead by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Belfast.

A British soldier was shot dead by the IRA in Belfast

Sunday 22 June 1975

Hugh Brankin

A Catholic civilian was shot dead in an attack by the Protestant Action Force (PAF), which was a covername used by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), in Greenisland, County Antrim.

Another Catholic civilian died having been shot two days earlier in Fraser Street, Belfast. Two Protestant civilians were shot dead by Republican paramilitaries in an attack at Westland Road, Belfast.

A Catholic civilian was stabbed to death by Loyalists (paramilitaries?) in an attack at Baronrath Bridge, near Sallins, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland.

Monday 22 June 1981

Michael Devine, then an Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) prisoner, joined the hunger strike.

See Hungry Strikes

Thursday 22 June 1995

John Major, then British Prime Minister, came under continuing internal Conservative Party opposition to his leadership. In an effort to confront this opposition Major resigned as leader of the party but also announced that he would enter the resulting leadership contest.

Sunday 22 June 1997

Martin McGuinness, then Vice-President of Sinn Féin (SF), addressed SF’s annual Wolfe Tone commemoration and called for the “removal of decommissioning as an obstacle” to SF entering the all-party talks process.

There were a number of Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland, some of which were rerouted away from Nationalist areas. Marches passed off relatively peacefully in Bellaghy, County Derry, and Keady, County Armagh.

In Mountfield, County Tyrone, Orangemen accused the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) of capitulating to Nationalists.

The Orange Order warned that the peaceful parades did not mean that there would not be a stand-off at Drumcree on 6 July 1997 if the march was not allowed down the Garvaghy Road.

Monday 22 June 1998

It was reported that Ronnie Flanagan, then Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), had said in an interview that he would be prepared to force the Drumcree march down the Garvaghy Road regardless of the decision of the Parades Commission.

[Flanagan later said the remarks had been taken out of context.]

Tuesday 22 June 1999

Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), said the Northern Ireland Executive must be established before paramilitary weapons were decommissioned. Ahern said it would be possible to persuade paramilitaries to disarm only “in the context of a confidence in functioning democratic institutions”.

David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), called on Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, to sack Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Patrick Magee, who had been convicted of taking part in the Brighton bombing on 12 October 1984, was freed under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement after serving 14 years of a 34 year sentence.

[Magee was the 277th prisoner to be released on licence under the terms of the early release scheme.]

Friday 22 June 2001

There was another Loyalist blockade of the road to the Catholic Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School in Ardoyne, north Belfast.

Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers again prevented children and parents from attempting to enter the school through the front gate. Some of the school’s pupils entered the school throught the grounds of another school.

——————————————

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.

10 People lost their lives on the 22nd  June between 1974 – 1979

——————————————

22 June 1974


 Daniel O’Connor   (35)

Catholic
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot from passing car while on Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) foot patrol, junction of Crumlin Road and Clifton Park Avenue, Belfast.

——————————————

22 June 1974
 Hugh Devine   (30)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot during altercation with British Army (BA) foot patrol, Olympic Drive, Ballycolman, Strabane, County Tyrone.

——————————————

22 June 1974
 Kim Ian McCunn   (18)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot by sniper while on British Army (BA) foot patrol, New Lodge Road, Belfast.

——————————————

22 June 1975


 Hugh Brankin   (32)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Protestant Action Force (PAF)
Found shot on the road to Knockagh War Memorial, near Greenisland, County Antrim.

——————————————

22 June 1975


 Hugh Duffy   (30)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Defence Association (UDA)
Died two days after being shot while walking home from work, Fraser Street, off Newtownards Road, Belfast.

——————————————

22 June 1975
 Thomas Irvine   (23)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot from passing car while standing at Westland Road, Belfast.

——————————————

22 June 1975
 Alan Raymond   (23)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot from passing car while standing at Westland Road, Belfast

——————————————

22 June 1975
 Christopher Phelan   (48)

nfNIRI
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Found stabbed to death, by railway track, Baronrath Bridge, near Sallins, County Kildare.

——————————————

22 June 1977


 John Millikin   (57)

Protestant
Status: Prison Officer (PO),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot from passing car shortly after leaving Crumlin Road Prison, Belfast.

——————————————

22 June 1979


 John Scott   (49)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty reservist. Shot while delivering milk, Ardboe, near Coagh, County Tyrone.

——————————————