25th March – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

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

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

25th March

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Saturday 25(?) May 1968

The Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC) held another protest at the Guildhall in Derry.

Tuesday 25 March 1969

Ian Paisley and Ronald Bunting were jailed for organising an illegal counter demonstration in Armagh on 30 November 1968.

Thursday 25 March 1971

James Callaghan, then shadow Home Secretary, spoke at a rally of the Northern Ireland labour movement but rejected calls for the Labour Party to open membership to those living in Northern Ireland.

Tuesday 25 March 1975

Harold Wilson, then British Prime Minister, paid a visit to Stormont and announced that an election to the Constitutional Convention would be held in Northern Ireland on 1 May 1975.

Thursday 25 March 1976

‘Police Primacy’ (‘Ulsterisation’)

Merlyn Rees, then Secretary of Sate for Northern Ireland, made a speech in the House of Commons in which he indicated a change in security policy for Northern Ireland. The decision meant that the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) were to take the leading role in security in Northern Ireland; previously this had been the responsibility of the British Army.

[The policy was referred to as ‘police primacy’ and also, by some commentators, as the ‘Ulsterisation’ of the conflict. This referred to the fact that the RUC and the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) were to find themselves more and more in the front line. This was reflected in the increase in numbers of personnel in the RUC and the UDR and the reduction in the level of British troops. The policy also lead to a period of poor relations between the police and the army.]

Thursday 25 March 1982

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) killed three British Soldiers during a gun attack on Crocus Street, off the Springfield Road in west Belfast.

Five other people were injured in the attack.

[It was believed that an M-60 machine gun was used in the attack.]

Monday 25 March 1991

Arrangements for Talks Agreed

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI), all agreed to the arrangements for political talks on the future of Northern Ireland. Richard Needham, then a Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister, became the first NIO minister to visit Belfast City Hall since the Unionist protest began over the Anglo-Irish Agreement (AIA).

Wednesday 25 March 1992

The Times (a London based newspaper) carried details of an opinion poll that it had commissioned. The poll was carried out by MORI to find out the attitudes of people living in Britain towards Northern Ireland.

Of those questioned, 31 per cent said they were in favour of Northern Ireland becoming independent, 29 per cent favoured the region remaining part of the United Kingdom (UK), and 23 per cent were in favour of a united Ireland.

Thursday 25 March 1993

Castlerock Killings

The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a cover name (pseudonym) used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), shot dead four Catholics as they arrived at a building site in Castlerock, County Derry.

A fifth person was injured in the attack.

[A few days later it was revealed that one of the dead men was a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).] Later in the day the UFF shot dead Damien Walsh (17), a Catholic civilian, and injured another young Catholic. The Irish Senate, the upper house of the Irish Parliament, held a debate on Northern Ireland. [This was the first debate on the region for eight years.]

Friday 25 March 1994

Mary Robinson, then Irish President, visited Newry, Craigavon, and Derry.

Wednesday 25 March 1998

Mitchell Sets Deadline

After almost two years of talks based at Stormont George Mitchell, then Chairman of the multi-party talks, set a deadline of two weeks for the political parties to reach an agreement. In setting a deadline of 9 April 1998 Mitchell said:

“I believe strongly that we can and will reach an agreement.”

Ronnie Flanagan, then Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), said that he believed that splinter groups opposed to the peace process had been responsible for some recent Republican violence. [Unionists had been calling for Sinn Féin’s (SF) exclusion from the multi-party talks following a number of recent incidents.] The RUC confirmed that two mortars were fired at a British Army observation post at Glassdrummond, County Armagh. [Dissident Republicans were believed to be responsible for the attack.] Bob Cooper, then Chairman of the Fair Employment Commission, called for the British government to find new ways of increasing the number of Catholics in security related jobs. It was estimated that there had been only a one per cent increase, to 8.4 per cent, in the number of Catholics in security jobs between 1990 and 1997.

Thursday 25 March 1999

The judge hearing the case against a man charged with murdering Robert Hamill in Portadown, County Armagh on 27 April 1997, described some of the actions of Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers on that night as “unfortunate”.

The man was cleared of murder but sentenced to 4 years for causing an affray. The Solicitor’s Criminal Bar Association (SCBA) called for the RUC to be removed from the investigation into the murder of Rosemary Nelson who was the solicitor for the Hamill family. Ronnie Flanagan, then Chief Constable of the RUC, rejected these and other similar calls

Saturday 25 March 2000

David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), defeated a challenge for the leadership of the UUP from Martin Smyth (Rev.), then Ulster Unionist MP. [Smith gained 43 per cent of the vote. Some commentators believed that the result further weakened Trimble’s position which might later affect the outcome of the peace process.] Trimble failed to stop a motion linking any resumption of the Executive to the retention of the title of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).

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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.

11 People lost their lives on the 25th March between 1972– 1993

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25 March 1972
 Patrick Campbell,  (16)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot, in error, by other Irish Republican Army (IRA) member, while setting up ambush of British Army (BA) patrol, junction of Springhill Avenue and Springfield Road, Belfast.

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25 March 1977
 Larry Potter,  (27)

nfNI
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
From County Monaghan. Killed by booby trap bomb attached to his firm’s minibus, Shore Road, Greenisland, County Antrim.

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25 March 1977
 David Graham,  (38)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Died ten days after being shot at his workplace, Coalisland, County Tyrone.

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25 March 1982
 Anthony Rapley,   (19)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in machine gun attack on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, Crocus Street, off Springfield Road, Belfast.

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25 March 1982
 Nicholas Malakos,  (19)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in machine gun attack on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, Crocus Street, off Springfield Road, Belfast.

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25 March 1982
 Daniel Holland,   (22)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in machine gun attack on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, Crocus Street, off Springfield Road, Belfast

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25 March 1993


 James Kelly,   (25)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot during gun attack on van, as he arrived at his workplace, renovating houses, Gortree Park, Castlerock, County Derry.

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25 March 1993
 James McKenna,  (52)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot during gun attack on van, as he arrived at his workplace, renovating houses, Gortree Park, Castlerock, County Derry.

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25 March 1993


 Gerard Dalrymple,  (58)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot during gun attack on van, as he arrived at his workplace, renovating houses, Gortree Park, Castlerock, County Derry.

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25 March 1993
 Noel O’Kane,  (20)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot during gun attack on van, as he arrived at his workplace, renovating houses, Gortree Park, Castlerock, County Derry.

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25 March 1993


 Damian Walsh,   (17)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot at his workplace, Dairy Farm Shopping Centre, Twinbrook, Belfast.

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24th March – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, , , , , ,

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles 

24th March

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Friday 24 March 1972

Announcement of End of Stormont

Edward Heath, then British Prime Minister, announced that the Stormont Parliament was to be prorogued, and ‘Direct Rule’ from Westminster imposed on Northern Ireland from 30 March 1972. The announcement was greeted with outrage from Brian Faulkner and Unionist politicians.

The main reason for the suspension of Stormont was the refusal of Unionist government to accept the loss of law and order powers to Westminster.

[The legislation responsible for direct rule was the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act. Under the legislation a new Northern Ireland Office (NIO) was established at Stormont which was supervised by a new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, William Whitelaw.]

[Whitelaw eased Internment and gave political status to prisoners because of Billy McKee’s hunger strike.] [ Direct Rule. ]

Monday 24 March 1980

The Constitutional Conference / Atkins Talks were adjourned indefinitely at Stormont with little hope that agreement between the various parties would be possible.

Thursday 24 March 1983

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI), all refused invitations to take part in the New Ireland Forum.

Monday 24 March 1986

Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister, wrote a letter to Unionist leaders in which she rejected a demand for a suspension of the Anglo-Irish Agreement (AIA) to allow talks on devolution to begin.

Tuesday 24 March 1987

James Molyneaux, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), and Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), called for peaceful protests against the new Public Order legislation on 11 April 1987.

Tuesday 24 March 1992

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded a bomb, estimated at 500 pounds, close to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) station in Donegall Pass, Belfast. The bomb caused extensive damage to property in the surrounding area

Thursday 24 March 1993

Peter Gallagher (44), a Sinn Féin (SF), member was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a cover name (pseudonym) used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), at his place of work on Grosvenor Road, Belfast.

Thursday 24 March 1994

John Fee, then a Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor, was severely beaten by Republicans outside his home in Crossmaglen, south Armagh.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee was constituted with 6 Conservative members, two Labour, two Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), one Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), one Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), and one Ulster Popular Unionist Party (UPUP) member. James Kilfedder (Sir) was announced as the chairman.

Friday 24 March 1995

British Army (BA) patrols of the greater Belfast area were suspended at midnight.

Monday 24 March 1997

In the Maze Prison a tunnel was discovered leading from H-Block 7 which housed Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoners. The lapse of security drew criticism from many quarters.

David Templeton (43), who was a Presbyterian minister based at Trinity Church in Greyabbey, died six weeks after he had been the subject of a Loyalist ‘punishment’ attack. He died from a pulmonary embolism after his legs were broken.

The Sunday Life had carried a report, 18 months prior to the attack, that customs officers had found an adult gay pornographic video in his possession. No charges had been brought against Templeton in connection with the video.

[During an inquest on 12 November 1997 the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) said that it believed that the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) was responsible for the attack.]

Tuesday 24 March 1998

Dissident Republicans carried out a mortar attack on an Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) station in south Armagh. It was thought that four mortar bombs had been fired at the police barracks in the village of Forkhill. One was believed to have exploded in the grounds of the base, and another to have landed there without exploding. No one was injured in the attack.

Wednesday 24 March 1999

The Orange Volunteers (OV) carried out a grenade attack on a bar outside of Lurgan, County Armagh. Talks involving pro-Agreement parties took place at Stormont. There were efforts to find common ground between the positions of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and Sinn Féin (SF).

The possibility of Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), and Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, travelling to Belfast was also discussed.

[The two men took part in talks at Hillsborough Castle beginning on 29 March 1999.] Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, stated that she would trigger the d’Hondt mechanism on 2 April 1999.

[D’Hondt was the system for allocating seats in the proposed Executive.]

 

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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.

 5 People   lost their lives on the 24th March between 1973– 1997

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24 March 1973
 John Huddlestone,   (28)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Shot from passing car, outside his home, Durham Street, Belfast.

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24 March 1974


 John Hamilton,  (46)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Found shot near his home, Spruce Street, Donegall Pass, Belfast.

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24 March 1975
 William Elliott,   (51)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Post office official. Shot when he arrived at the scene of robbery at Silverbridge Post Office, near Crossmaglen, County Armagh.

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24 March 1993


 Peter Gallagher,  (44)

Catholic
Status: Civilian Political Activist (CivPA),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Sinn Fein (SF) member. Shot at his workplace, Westlink Enterprise Centre, Grosvenor Road, Belfast

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24 March 1997


 David Templeton,  (43)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Died six weeks after being badly beaten in his home, Fairview Road, Newtownabbey, County Antrim

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23rd March – 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 23rd March ————————————————- Tuesday…

Source: 23rd March – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

23rd March – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, Major events in The Troubles

Another IRA Honey Trap Killing

belfastchildis's avatar

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

23rd March

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Tuesday 23 March 1971

Faulkner Became Prime Minister

Brian Faulkner succeeds as Northern Ireland Prime Minister after defeating William Craig in a Unionist Party leadership election.

[Faulkner’s tenure of office was to prove very short.]

The Local Government Boundaries (Northern Ireland) Act became law. The Act provided for the appointment of a Boundaries Commissioner to recommend the boundaries and names of district council and ward areas.

Friday 23 March 1973

IRA Honey trap Killings

IRA Honey trap 1

See Below for more details

Three members of the British Army were shot dead by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in a house in the Antrim Road, Belfast. The soldiers had been lured to the house. A Catholic civilian was shot dead by Loyalists in Belfast.

Saturday 23 March 1974

The Ulster Workers’ Council (UWC), a new Loyalist grouping, issued a…

View original post 1,258 more words

Forkhill Armagh – IRA “Bandit Country”

Deaths in the Troubles, Major events in The Troubles

belfastchildis's avatar

Forkhill or Forkill (from Irish: Foirceal) is a small village and civil parish  in south County Armagh, Northern Ireland, in the ancient barony of Upper Orior. It is within the Ring of Gullion and in the 2011 Census it had a recorded population of 498.

It was also one of the most dangerous and unforgiving places on earth for British soldiers and other security force personnel during the 30 year “conflict” and the South  Armagh IRA seemed  able to slaughtered at will and the areas  nickname “Bandit Country” was written in the blood of the innocent.

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BBC Panorama – Bandit Country, South Armagh

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See Below for more details on the South Armagh IRA

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Never forget

They died serving their country

I salute you all!

———————

They shall not grow old,
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the…

View original post 6,328 more words

In memory Sergeant Michael Willetts, GC & all HM Armed Forces murdered by Irish Terrorists.

Deaths in the Troubles, Major events in The Troubles

A short video, set to music, in memory Sergeant Michael G. Willets  and all those members of HM Armed Forces murdered by Irish Terrorists. We salute you all –  memory will live on forever! My…

Source: In memory Sergeant Michael Willetts, GC & all HM Armed Forces murdered by Irish Terrorists.

Operation Banner – August 1969 – July 2007

Deaths in the Troubles, Major events in The Troubles

Remembering all our murdered Hero’s 1441 British armed force personnel died in Operation Banner During the 38 year operation, 1,441 members of the British armed forces died in Operation Banne…

Source: Operation Banner – August 1969 – July 2007

22nd March – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, , , ,

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

22nd March

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Wednesday 22 March 1972

Brian Faulkner, then Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, went to London to be informed of the introduction of ‘Direct Rule’.

Thursday 22 March 1979

Members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) killed Richard Sykes (58), then British Ambassador to the Netherlands, and also his Dutch valet Krel Straub (19), in a gun attack in Den Haag, Netherlands.

The IRA carried out a series of attacks across Northern Ireland with 24 bombs exploding on same day.

Sunday 22 March 1981

Raymond McCreesh, an Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoner in the Maze Prison, and Patsy O’Hara, then leader of Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) prisoners in the Maze, joined the hunger strike. Brian Lenihan, then Irish Foreign Minister, said that the on-going talks between the British and Irish governments could lead to a United Ireland in 10 years.

Tuesday 22 March 1983

In a district council by-election in Omagh, County Tyrone, a Sinn Féin (SF) candidate won the seat.

[This was the first local government election contested by SF during the current conflict.]

Thursday 22 March 1984

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded three bombs in buildings in the centre of Belfast.

A new Prevention of Terrorism Act became law. The act allowed the Secretary of State to proscribe (declare illegal) organisations that were believed to be associated with terrorism. In addition to issue exclusion orders that prevent people from Northern Ireland travelling to other parts of the United Kingdom or from travelling from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland.

The act allowed the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) to arrest people without a warrant and to detain them for 48 hours, and a further five days on the authority of the Secretary of State.

Friday 22 March 1985

It was announced that Roberty Pascoe would replace Robert Richardson as Commanding Officer of the British Army in Northern Ireland as from June 1985

Sunday 22 March 1987

James Miller, a former MI5 (British Intelligence) agent, claimed that the intelligence service had helped to promote the Ulster Workers’ Council (UWC) strike of 1974 in an effort to destabilise the then Laour Government led by Harold Wilson.

Tuesday 22 March 1988

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) asked television companies (BBC, ITN and RTE) to give them untransmitted film of the incident involving the two British Army corporals on 19 March 1988.

[The television companies initially refused but later allowed the RUC access to the material. The event caused further friction between the British government and the media.]

Wednesday 22 March 1989

The new Prevention of Terrorism Act became law and allowed the authorities to check bank accounts for paramilitary funds.

Wednesday 22 March 1995

Michael Ancram, then Political Development Minister at the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), participated in a meeting between NIO officials and representatives of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and Ulster Democratic Party (UDP).

Friday 22 March 1996

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) stated that there was little prospect for a renewed ceasefire.

Saturday 22 March 1997

The Ulster Unionist Council of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) held its annual meeting in Belfast. David Trimble, then leader of the UUP, criticised “aggressive, loudmouth Unionists” without naming anyone in particular.

[Many people took this to be a reference to Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and the DUP issued a statement which called Trimble’s comments “vile, vicious, and venomous”.]

The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) held its annual conference. Addressing the conference John Alderdice, then leader of APNI, warned that Northern Ireland could become “Balkanised” by conflict over parades.

Sunday 22 March 1998

Garda Síochána (the Irish police) discovered a large bomb, estimated at 1,300 pounds, in Dundalk, Republic of Ireland, which was about to be transported to a target in Northern Ireland. Two men were arrested at the scene of the discovery.

[It was initially believed that the Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) was responsible for the bomb.]

The Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition (GRRC) organised a march from Park Road in Portadown, County Armagh, to a rally on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The march was held to highlight the continuing lack of dialogue between the Orange Order and the residents of the Garvaghy Road.

Several hundred Loyalists gathered to demonstrate against the parade and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) kept the two groups apart.

A Loyalist gang of approximately 50 men tried to enter a Nationalist estate in north Belfast but were prevented by an RUC patrol. The Loyalists then attacked the RUC car and the officers inside with petrol bombs. Reinforcements had to be called and six people were arrested.

 

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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.

3 People   lost their lives on the 22nd March between 1979– 1987

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22 March 1979


 Richard Sykes,   (58)

nfNIE
Status: Civilian Political Activist (CivPA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
British Ambassador to the Netherlands. Shot outside his official residence, Den Haag, Netherlands.

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22 March 1979
 Krel Straub,   (19)

nfNIE
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Dutch valet to British Ambassador to the Netherlands. Shot outside the ambassador’s official residence, Den Haag, Netherlands.

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22 March 1987
 Kevin Duffy,  (20)

Catholic
Status: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA),

Killed by: Irish People’s Liberation Organisation (IPLO)
Found shot in playground of St Brigid’s School, Nursery Road, Armagh. Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) / Irish People’s Liberation Organisation (IPLO) feud.

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23rd March – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

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

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

23rd March

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Tuesday 23 March 1971

Faulkner Became Prime Minister

Brian Faulkner succeeds as Northern Ireland Prime Minister after defeating William Craig in a Unionist Party leadership election.

[Faulkner’s tenure of office was to prove very short.]

The Local Government Boundaries (Northern Ireland) Act became law. The Act provided for the appointment of a Boundaries Commissioner to recommend the boundaries and names of district council and ward areas.

Friday 23 March 1973

IRA Honey trap Killings

IRA Honey trap 1

See Below for more details

See IRA Honey Trap & death of three off duty Scottish soldiers

Three members of the British Army were shot dead by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in a house in the Antrim Road, Belfast. The soldiers had been lured to the house. A Catholic civilian was shot dead by Loyalists in Belfast.

Saturday 23 March 1974

The Ulster Workers’ Council (UWC), a new Loyalist grouping, issued a statement calling for new elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The UWC threatened civil disobedience unless the Executive was dissolved.

Monday 23 March 1981

hungry strikes

See 1981 Hunger Strike

Saturday 23 March 1985

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) held its annual conference in Castlereagh, East Belfast.

During his speech, Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), accused the Irish government, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), and the Catholic hierarchy of having a vested interest in Irish Republican Army (IRA) atrocities.

 

Monday 23 March 1987

Two Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers and a civilian employed by the Prison Sevice were killed in related incidents on the Magee Campus of the University of Ulster.

The report on the alleged ‘shoot to kill’ policy of the security forces was completed by Colin Sampson and delivered to Sir John Hermon, then Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).

Friday 23 March 1990 4

James Molyneaux, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), said that there would be no agreement on talks while Articles 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution remained.

Peter Brooke, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said that there was no question mark over the future of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR).

Tuesday 23 March 1993

There was a meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (AIIC) in Belfast. The meeting agreed to increase security measures in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Thursday 23 March 1995

The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a cover name (pseudonym) used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), said its prisoners backed the ceasefire and the policies of the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP).

There was a delay in discussions between Sinn Féin (SF) and Northern Ireland Office (NIO) ministers when SF said it wished to discuss ‘demilitarisation’ rather than decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.

Saturday 23 March 1996

David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) made a keynote speech at the Annual General Meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council. Sinn Féin (SF) Ard Fheis began in Ambassador Cinema in Dublin. A SF decision on taking part in the 30 May 1996 elections was left for the party’s Ard Chomhairle to make.

Monday 23 March 1998

Sinn Féin (SF) Rejoined Talks

After some initial doubts, Sinn Féin rejoined the multi-party talks at Stormont.

[Although the party had been expelled on 20 February 1998 and the date set for the return to the talks was 9 March 1998, SF had delayed until it had secured a meeting with the British Prime Minister and then decided to wait until after the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.]

The House of Commons Select Committee on Northern Ireland Affairs published a report that highlighted electoral malpractice in the region. The report drew attention to the particular problem of absent voting (postal votes) as well as a serious level of multiple registration in a number of areas.

Tuesday 23 March 1999

A man was injured by a bobby-trap bomb (grenade) as he worked at a scrapyard in Castlewellan, County Down. The attack was carried out by the Orange Volunteers (OV) a dissident Loyalist paramilitary group.

Rosemary-Nelson--001

The husband of Rosemary Nelson called for an inquiry into her death, but one that was independent of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). This call followed a report by the Independent Commission on Police Complaints (ICPC), which had been investigating allegations of death threats against Rosemary Nelson made by members of the RUC. Although the report was not then published it was reported that the inquiry had run into various difficulties, including some from the chief inspector who, “appeared to have difficulties in co-operating productively” with the barrister in charge of the inquiry.

See  Rosemary Nelson

[Later Ronnie Flanagan, then Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), said that he would publish as much as was possible of the report. The report had been prepared by Niall Mulvihill, then Commander of the Metropolitan Police in London, and had been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. A ‘review’ based on the report was issued on 30 March 1999.]

Jack Straw, then British Home Secretary, challenged the release of three Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoners arrested and convicted in England.

[This action failed but was widely criticised and put additional pressure on the peace process.]

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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.

 9 People   lost their lives on the 23rd March between 1972– 1987

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23 March 1972


 Sean O’Riordan,  (13)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army Youth Section (IRAF),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot during petrol bomb attack on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Cawnpore Street, Falls, Belfast.

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IRA Honey trap Killings

IRA Honey trap 1

Click this link  to read full News Story

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Sgt Thomas Penrose. Aged 28.

While off duty and with two friends S/Sgt Barrington Foster. aged 28 Duke Of Edinburgh Regiment and  Sgt Michael Muldoon. aged 25 Royal Army Dental Corps, were lured to a house by some women on the pretext of a party in the Antrim Road Area of Belfast, The IRA were waiting for them and executed the three Men on the 24-03-1973.

See IRA Honey Trap & death of three off duty Scottish soldiers

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23 March 1973
 Thomas Penrose,   (28)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot shortly after being lured to house, Antrim Road, Belfast

Click this link  to read full News Story

See IRA Honey Trap & death of three off duty Scottish soldiers

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23 March 1973
 Barrington Foster,  (28)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot shortly after being lured to house, Antrim Road, Belfast.

Click this link  to read full News Story

See IRA Honey Trap & death of three off duty Scottish soldiers

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23 March 1973
 Michael Muldoon,   (25)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot shortly after being lured to house, Antrim Road, Belfast

Click this link  to read full News Story

See IRA Honey Trap & death of three off duty Scottish soldiers

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.

23 March 1974
 Donald Farrell,  (56)

Protestant
Status: ex-British Army (xBA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
From Northern Ireland. Recently retired from British Army (BA) . Shot while sitting in his stationary car, near to his home, Mountfield, near Omagh, County Tyrone.

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23 March 1985
 John Corcoran, (45)

nfNIRI
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
From County Cork. Found shot Ballincollig, near Cork. Alleged informer.

See: IRA Internal Security Unit – Nutting Squad

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23 March 1987


 Leslie Jarvis,   (62)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Civilian employed at Magilligan Prison. Shot in car park outside Magee College of Further Education, Rock Road, Derry.

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23 March 1987


 Austin Wilson,   (35)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by booby trap bomb hidden in briefcase, which exploded when called to the scene of a shooting at the car park of Magee College of Further Education, Rock Road, Derry.

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23 March 1987


 John Bennison,  (41)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by booby trap bomb hidden in briefcase, which exploded when called to the scene of a shooting at the car park of Magee College of Further Education, Rock Road, Derry

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21st March – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, , , , , , ,

 

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

21st March

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Tuesday 21 March 1972

Direct Rule

 

Saturday 21 March 1981

Tomás Ó Fiaich, then Catholic Primate of Ireland, issued a statement calling upon the Irish Republican Army (IRA) to end its use of violence.

Monday 21 March 1983

Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister, held a brief meeting with Garret FitzGerald, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), at an European Economic Community (EEC) summit meeting.

This was Thatcher’s first meeting with a Taoiseach in over 15 months.

Saturday 21 March 1987

Alan Dukes was elected as leader of Fine Gael.

Monday 21 March 1994

Loyalists set alight the car belonging to Joe Hendron, then Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MP, which was parked outside his south Belfast home.

It was reported that there were angry exchanges between Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and John Major, then British Prime Minister, at 10 Downing Street, London.

[There were also reports that Paisley together with some of his colleagues temporarily locked themselves into a toilet at No.10.]

Thursday 21 March 1996

John Major, then British Prime Minister, announced details of elections to be held on 30 May 1996. The elections were designed to decide which parties would take part in all-party negotiations on 10 June 1996. The elections were also to elect delegates to the proposed Forum. The Forum was to be made up of 110 delegates, 90 elected directly and 20 ‘top-up’ seats from the 10 parties polling the most votes.

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Sinn Féin (SF) both criticised the proposals.

Friday 21 March 1997

Brendan Smyth, a Catholic priest convicted of child sex abuse, was released from prison in Northern Ireland and then extradited to the Republic of Ireland to face further charges of abusing children.

Saturday 21 March 1998

David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), delivered a key note speech at the Annual General Meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council.

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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.

6  People   lost their lives on the 21st March between 1974– 1996

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21 March 1974


 Gerard McCarthy,  (28)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Shot while travelling in his firm’s lorry, shortly after leaving his workplace, Duncrue Street, Belfast.

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21 March 1975
 David Halliday,   (60)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Died four months after being shot during armed robbery at Northern Bank, junction of Lyle Street and Crumlin Road, Belfast. He was injured on 18 November 1974.

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21 March 1980
 Sean Walker,   (18)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died two weeks after being injured in remote controlled bomb attack on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Crossmaglen, County Armagh.

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21 March 1987


 Emmanuel Gargan,  (25)

Catholic
Status: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA),

Killed by: Irish People’s Liberation Organisation (IPLO)
Shot while in Hatfield Bar, Ormeau Road, Belfast. Irish National Liberation Army / Irish People’s Liberation Organisation feud.

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21 March 1988


 Clive Graham,  (25)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot by sniper while at Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Vehicle Check Point (VCP), Inniscarn Road, Creggan, Derry.

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21 March 1996


 Thomas Sheppard,   (41)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot, while in Towers Tavern, Ballee, Ballymena, County Antrim. Internal Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) dispute.

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