Tag Archives: 8th September deaths in the troubles

8th September – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

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

8th September

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

Wednesday 8 September 1971

Harold Wilson, then leader of the Labour Party, announced details of a plan for a united Ireland.

Friday 8 September 1972

[Public Records 1972 – Released 1 January 2003: Memo from the Cabinet Secretary to Edward Heath, then British Prime Minister. This memo covered: the future of Northern Ireland; the Security Package; and changes in the administration of justice (most notably the introduction of special courts).]

Monday 8 September 1975

During a United Ulster Unionist Council (UUUC) meeting William Craig was the only member to vote for a voluntary coalition with the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP).

Sunday 8 September 1985

A married couple Gerard and Catherine Mahon, both Catholic civilians, were found shot dead in Turf Lodge in west Belfast. The couple had been shot by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) who alleged that they were informers working on behalf of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).

Thursday 8 September 1994

The Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) set out a list of issues that it wished to receive assurances on before it considered calling a ceasefire of Loyalist paramilitary groups. In particular the CLMC wanted convinced that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) ceasefire was permanent and that no secret deal had been done to achieve it. British Army soldiers wore berets instead of steel helmets while on patrol in Belfast.

[It was viewed as a symbolic gesture representing a relaxation of security measures.]

The Belfast Coroner abandoned the Inquest into the deaths of the six men at the centre of the alleged ‘shoot to kill’ incidents in November and December 1982. The reason given for the action was the decision of Hugh Annesley (Sir), then Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), not to provide the Inquest with a copy of the Stalker report.

[The Belfast High Court had ruled against the Coroner on 11 July 1994 when the court said he could not have access to the contents of the Stalker report.]

Friday 8 September 1995

Trimble Elected Leader of UUP The Ulster Unionist Council (UUC) held a meeting to choose a new leader following the resignation of James Molyneaux on 28 August 1995. David Trimble, then UUP MP, won the contest on the third count beating John Taylor, then UUP MP, who had been considered the favourite to win. Trimble won by 466 to 333 votes.

Sunday 8 September 1996

An Orange parade in Dunloy, County Antrim was rerouted by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). In protest at this decision the Orangemen held a short stand-off at a police line.

Monday 8 September 1997

Mary Robinson, then President of the Republic of Ireland, paid her final visit before retiring to Northern Ireland. Robinson attended a meeting of the Council for Ethnic Minorities and also addressed a special meeting of community and voluntary sector groups at Balmoral, Belfast.

[Previous visits by the President had been criticised by Unionist politicians particularly when she shook hands with Gerry Adams, then President of Sinn Féin (SF), in 1993.]

John Hume, then leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), announced that he would not be standing in the forthcoming Presidential election in the Republic of Ireland. Hume said that he felt a duty to stay with the SDLP at the “crucial stage” of the peace process.

Saturday 8 September 2001

A Catholic primary school Newington Avenue in north Belfast was damaged in an arson attack.

Remembering all innocent victims of the Troubles

Today is the anniversary of the follow  people killed as a results of the conflict in Northern Ireland

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 8th September  between 1969 – 1985

————————————————————–

08 September 1969
 John Todd,  (29)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot during street disturbances, Alloa Street, Lower Oldpark, Belfast.

————————————————————–

08 September 1974
 Arthur Rafferty,   (56)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died three weeks after being shot in Newington Street, New Lodge, Belfast.

————————————————————–

08 September 1975
 Andrew Craig,  (20)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Association (UDA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Found shot at corner of Alfred Street and Russell Street, Markets, Belfast.

————————————————————–

08 September 1977
 Hugh Rogers,  (50)

Catholic
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot outside his home, Orchardville Crescent, Finaghy, Belfast.

————————————————————–

08 September 1985


 Gerard Mahon,  (28)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Found shot, together with his wife, in entry off Norglen Crescent, Turf Lodge, Belfast. Alleged informer.

————————————————————–

08 September 1985


 Catherine Mahon,  (26)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Found shot, together with her husband, in entry off Norglen Crescent, Turf Lodge, Belfast. Alleged informer.

Main source CAIN Web Service

Major Events in the Troubles

See: IRA Internal Security Unit – Nutting Squad

See: 9th September

​

Advertisement