3rd August
Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
Tuesday 3 August 1976
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) carried out a series of six bomb attacks on Portrush, County Antrim.
Monday 3 August 1981
Liam McCloskey, then an Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) prisoner, joined the hunger strike.
Sunday 3 August 1997
Nationalist residents of Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, protested against a Royal Black Preceptory march in the village.
The parade was escorted by Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers in riot gear. Six people were injured in disturbances.
The Claudy Bombing
The 25th anniversary of the bombing of Claudy, County Derry was marked in the village when approximately 1,500 people attended an open air service
See Claudy Bombing
Although no group claimed responsibility for the explosions it was widely believed that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) had planted the three car bombs in the village which resulted in the deaths of nine people. Inadequate warnings were given about the bombs.
Monday 3 August 1998
In the first break-through of its kind, Nationalists and Loyalists in Derry reached an agreement over the Apprentice Boys march in the city planned for 8 August 1999.
The agreement came after three days of shuttle (indirect) negotiations between the parties. [However, there were some minor disturbances following the march.]
Tuesday 3 August 1999
Security sources confirmed that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was considered responsible for the death of Charles Bennett on 30 July 1999.
Republican sources claimed he was killed to pacify hardliners over decommissioning and the lack of political progress.
Friday 3 August 2001
The Ardchomhairle of Sinn Féin held a meeting to consider the party’s response to the British and Irish governments’ Implementation Plan. The meeting took place in County Louth, Republic of Ireland.
The Ardchomhairle is comprised of 41 members, including Gerry Adams, then President of SF, Mitchel McLaughlin, then Chairman, Pat Doherty, then Vice-President, and Martin McGuinness.
Sinn Féin rejected Monday’s deadline and said that the party needed to see the detail and guarantees on policing reform and demilitarisation.
In the days following the meeting SF said it needed to see more detail on policing, demilitarisation and criminal justice before it could support the package.
3rd August 2010
Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for detonating a 200 lb car bomb outside Strand Road PSNI station in Derry.
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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.
10 People lost their lives on the 3rd of August between 1972 – 1992
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03 August 1972
William Clark, (34) nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed attempting to defuse bomb discovered by side of road, Urney, near Clady, County Tyrone.
See: The Long Walk
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03 August 1972
Robert McCrudden, (19)
Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),
Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot during gun battle, Hooker Street, Ardoyne, Belfast.
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03 August 1973
James Farrell, (50) nfNIRI
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot, during armed robbery, while delivering wages to British Leyland factory, Cashel Road, Crumlin, Dublin.
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03 August 1974
Martin Skillen, (21)
Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),
Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot from British Army (BA) undercover observation post in Clonard cinema building, Falls Road, Belfast.
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03 August 1974
Charles McKnight, (25)
Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by booby trap bomb when he entered the cab of his employer’s lorry, parked outside house, Ballycraigy, Newtownabbey, County Antrim.
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03 August 1976
Alan Watkins, (20) nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
Shot by sniper while on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Dungiven, County Derry.
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03 August 1979
Whilliam Whitten (65)
Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died six weeks after being injured in bomb attack on Marine Hotel, Ballycastle, County Antrim. He was wounded on 19 June 1979. Inadequate warning given.
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03 August 1980
William Clarke, (59)
Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot while travelling in his car along laneway, Gortnessy, near Pettigoe, County Donegal.
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03 August 1988
Raymond McNicholl, (30)
Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot by sniper, while driving his car to work, Desertcreat Road, near Cookstown, County Tyrone.
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03 August 1992
Damian Shackleton, (24) nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot by sniper while on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, Duncairn Avenue, New Lodge, Belfast.
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Belfast Child 