I’m sick of every man and his dog slagging off the Unionist Community of Northern Ireland in the wake of the DUP’s sudden rise in profile and politically clout!
Among the many uninformed and out right ridiculous claims I keep hearing about the DUP’s relationship with Loyalist Paramilitaries. Especially from some Labour MP’s , which is laughable in itself…
Hello what about Sinn Fien/IRA ?
They are lead by a bunch of psychopathic killers , drenched in the blood of the innocent and by some fickle twist of fate find themselves in positions of power – oh how the Barman Adams has managed to carved out a good life for himself & a legacy (Bloody) that insures his name will always be associated with my beautiful home town Belfast.
It tortures my soul that Adams and his like have literally got away with mass murder and to rub salt into the wounds – they seem to have benefited from their brutal pasts and in my book that’s wrong!!
Many of my family and friends in Belfast voted for the DUP not because they supported them , but because they where tactically voting against Sinn Fien/IRA and although I have many reservations about some of their policies and hardline views , I am happy to see a Unionist Party in a position of power , where they can hopefully do some good for not just the Loyalist community of Northern Ireland , but for all the people of Northern Ireland.
Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
Tuesday 12 August 1969
The Battle of the Bogside
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Battle of the Bogside;Full Documentary
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Battle of the Bogside
Tuesday 12 August 1969Battle of the Bogside Began As the annual Apprentice Boys parade passed close to the Bogside area of Derry serious rioting erupted. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), using armoured cars and water cannons, entered the Bogside, in an attempt to end the rioting. The RUC were closely followed and supported by a loyalist crowd. The residents of the Bogside forced the police and the loyalists back out of the area. The RUC used CS gas to again enter the Bogside area.
[This period of conflict between the RUC and Bogside (and Creggan) residents was to become known as the ‘Battle of the Bogside’ and lasted for two days.]
There was also sporadic riots and running battles on the Shankill , Falls and other areas of the province
A Protestant man died two days after being shot by a British soldier.
Sunday 12 August 1973
The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) tried out a new plastic baton round during a riot.
[The plastic baton round was eventually to replace the rubber baton round that had been in use since 2 August 1970.]
Thursday 12 August 1976
A group of 1,000 women held a demonstration on the Finaghy Road in Andersontown at the place where the three Maguire children were killed on 10 August 1976. 6,000 people signed a petition in Andersonstown calling for peace.
Sunday 12 August 1984
Martin Galvin, then leader of NORAID (Irish Northern Aid Committee), appeared at another rally this time in Belfast. Galvin was banned from the UK and Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers moved to arrest him.
Sean Downes
During an altercation with protesters an RUC officer fired a plastic baton round at close range and killed Sean Downes (22), a Catholic civilian. An RUC officer was killed by the IRA in County Tyrone.
Wednesday 12 August 1987
Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), turned down a plan for talks between the four main constitutional parties in Northern Ireland (UUP, SDLP, DUP and APNI) that had been suggested by Robin Eames, Church of Ireland Archbishop.
Monday 12 August 1991
Pádraig Ó Seanacháin
Pádraig Ó Seanacháin (33), who was Sinn Féin (SF) election worker, was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a cover name (pseudonym) used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), in Killen, County Tyrone. It was announced that there would be a review of the case of Judith Ward who had been convicted of the Bradford coach bombing in 1974.
Wednesday 12 August 1992
The Metropolitan Police in London uncovered approximately 12 tons of explosives when they seized three vans. The explosives had been manufactured by the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
Five people were initially arrested in connection with the find but were later released.
Thursday 12 August 1993
The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) prevented a bomb attack when officers intercepted a van bomb, estimated at 3,000 pounds, in Portadown, County Armagh.
Saturday 12 August 1995
The Apprentice Boys of Derry (ABD) held their annual parade in Derry. Due to the opening of security gates on the city walls the ABD was able to parade around the walls for the first time in 25 years.
However, Republicans staged a sitdown demonstration before the parade began and were forcible removed by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
There was rioting in Derry following the parade and police fired 40 plastic bullets. There were serious confrontations between the RUC and Nationalists in the lower Ormeau Road area of Belfast. An ABD ‘feeder’ parade passed along the street once police had cleared the route. There were also disturbances at Dunloy and Rasharkin, County Antrim.
Tuesday 12 August 1997
First Debate Between SF and UUP on TV
27 Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) prisoners in the Maze Prison began a riot which caused severe damage to C and D wings of H-Block 6.
Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) prisoners in wings A and B of H-Block 6 had to be moved as the LVF occupied the roof.
Ken Maginnis, then Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Member of Parliament (MP), appeared in a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Newsnight programme in a debate which involved Martin McGuinness, then Vice-President of Sinn Féin (SF) and MP. This was the first time that a member of the UUP had agreed to appear alongside a member of SF on British Television.
McGuinness began moves to have a judicial review of the decision of the Speaker of the House of Commons to refuse the two SF MPs office facilities. The reason given for the refusal was the fact that the two MPs had not taken their seats in the House, which would have involved an oath of allegiance to the Queen.
Two Republican prisoners being held in Portlaoise Prison in the Republic of Ireland, were given early conditional release.
Sunday 12 August 2001
Two men were shot and injured in a Loyalist paramilitary ‘punishment’ attack in Greencastle, County Antrim.
Another man was shot and injured in a separate Loyalist paramilitary ‘punishment’ attack in the Rathcollle estate, Newtownabbey, County Antrim.
John Reid, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said in an interview on the BBC Television’s Breakfast With Frost programme that he believed that the parties were “tantalisingly close” to reaching agreement. He defended his decision to suspend the political institutions as the best of the options open to him.
Speaking on the same programme Martin McGuinness, then Vice-President of Sinn Féin (SF), said the suspension, together with the Unionist response to the developments on decommissioning, had caused “a serious situation”.
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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 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 12th August between 1970 – 1992
12th August
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12 August 1970
Samuel Donaldson, (23)
Protestant Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died one day after being injured by booby trap bomb, attached to abandoned car, Lissaraw, near Crossmaglen, County Armagh.
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12 August 1970
Robert Millar, (26)
Protestant Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died one day after being injured by booby trap bomb, attached to abandoned car, Lissaraw, near Crossmaglen, County Armagh.
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12 August 1971 William Ferris, (38)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: British Army (BA)
Died two days after being shot while travelling in car along Crumlin Road, Belfast
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12 August 1972 Francis Wynne, (37)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Found shot in abandoned car, Jaffa Street, Shankill, Belfast.
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12 August 1975 John Hunter, (57)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Defence Association (UDA)
Shot at his workplace, council cleansing depot, off Albertbridge Road, Belfast
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12 August 1977
Neil Bewley, (19) nfNI Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot by sniper while on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Norglen Drive, Turf Lodge, Belfast.
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12 August 1984
Sean Downes, (22)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)
Shot by plastic bullet, during anti-internment march, Andersonstown Road, Belfast
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12 August 1984
Malcolm White, (26)
Protestant Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in land mine attack on Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) mobile patrol, Crockanboy, Greencastle, County Tyrone.
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12 August 1988 Richard Heakin, (30) nfNIE Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot while sitting in his car stopped at traffic lights, Oostende, Belgium
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12 August 1991
Padraig O’Seanachain, (33)
Catholic Status: Civilian Political Activist (CivPA),
Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Sinn Fein (SF) member. Shot by sniper, while travelling to work, Killen, Castlederg, County Tyrone.
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12 August 1992
Robin Hill, Robin (22)
Catholic Status: ex-Irish Republican Army (xIRA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Found shot, in entry off Beechmount Crescent, Falls, Belfast. Alleged informer
This is simply the story of a boy trying to grow up, survive, thrive, have fun & discover himself against a backdrop of events that might best be described as ‘explosive’, captivating & shocking the world for thirty long years.
An inquest held in Gibraltar decided that the Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers who shot dead three Irish Republican Army (IRA) members on 6 March 1988 had acted lawfully. There was conflicting evidence on whether or not the IRA members had been given a warning before being shot.
Sunday 30 September 1990
‘Joy riders’ Shot Dead Martin Peake (17) and Karen Reilly (18), both Catholic civilians, were shot dead by British Army paratroopers in Belfast. The two teenagers were travelling (‘joy riding’) in a stolen car. At the time it was claimed that the stolen car had failed to stop at an army check point and struck a member of the army foot patrol.
[Later it was revealed that the injuries suffered by the soldier were deliberately inflicted after the incident by another soldier. In June 1993 Lee Clegg, a private in the Parachute Regiment, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Clegg’s subsequent early release and return to his regiment caused uproar in the nationalist community.]
Wednesday 30 September 1992
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) returned to the resumed political talks (later known as the Brooke / Mayhew talks) at Stormont. The DUP attended this section of the talks because the main business was Articles 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution.
[The DUP were criticised as having an ‘a la carte’ approach to the talks.]
Saturday 30 September 1995
Sinn Féin (SF) held a special one-day conference to review the peace process in the RDS, Dublin, attended by approximately 800 members. The delegates supported the SF leadership’s position that there was “no other
Tuesday 30 September 1997
Format of Negotiations Agreed at Talks The parties involved in the talks at Stormont agreed the format for the substantive negotiations. The talks would take place in three strands. The first strand would deal with arrangements for government in Northern Ireland, the second would look at relationships between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the third would look at the relationships between Britain and Ireland.
The substantive talks were due to begin on 7 October 1997. Marjorie (Mo) Mowlam, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, addressed the Labour Party’s annual conference and announced that internment would be removed form the statute books. William Hague, then leader of the Conservative Party, paid his first official visit to Northern Ireland but did not meet any political leaders.
Wednesday 30 September 1998
Ronnie Flanagan, then Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), announced that a number of British Army installations and check-points were to be demolished. There was a further series of releases under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Seamus Mallon, then deputy leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), addressed a meeting of the of the Labour Party conference in Blackpool, England. Mallon, while acknowledging that there was no pre-condition to Sinn Féin’s (SF) entry into an Executive, nevertheless called on the Irish Republican Army (IRA) to make a confidence building gesture.
Gerry Adams, then President of Sinn Féin (SF), also addressed the meeting and stated that the row over decommissioning had the potential to wreck the Good Friday Agreement.
Thursday 30 September 1999
See Robert Hamill Killing
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to charge any Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer in connection with the killing of Robert Hamill following a beating he received on 29 April 1997. Hamill was severely beaten in a sectarian attack by a gang of up to 30 loyalists in the centre of Portadown, County Armagh, and he died from head injuries on 8 May 1997.
Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers were present close to the scene of the attack and were accused by witnesses and Hamill’s family of not intervening to save him. Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), travelled to Dublin for a meeting at his request with Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister).
The meeting was called to discuss a series of attacks that had occurred on Free Presbyterian churches in the Republic of Ireland. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) launched a three year strategic plan part of which was to involve the drafting of a Bill of Rights.`
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.
16 People lost their lives on the 30th September between 1970 – 1992
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30 September 1970 David Murray, (49)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY) Shot at his home, Wilton Street, Shankill, Belfast.
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30 September 1972
Patricia McKay, (20)
Catholic Status: Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA),
Killed by: British Army (BA) Shot during attempted attack on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Ross Street, Lower Falls, Belfast.
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30 September 1972
Francis Lane, (23)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY) Found shot on waste ground, Glencairn Road, Glencairn, Belfast.
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30 September 1972 John Kelly, (43)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: British Army (BA) Died three days after being shot during altercation between local people and British Army (BA) patrol, Tullagh Park, Andersonstown, Belfast.
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30 September 1972
Thomas Rudman, (20) nfNI Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Shot by sniper while on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Ladbrooke Drive, Ardoyne, Belfast.
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30 September 1972
Patrick McKee, (25)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Killed in car bomb attack outside Conlon’s Bar, Smithfield, Belfast.
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30 September 1972
James Gillen, (21)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Injured in car bomb attack outside Conlon’s Bar, Smithfield, Belfast. He died 17 October 1972.
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30 September 1972
Joseph Lynskey, (45)
Catholic Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Went missing from the Beechmount area, Belfast, during August/September 1972. Presumed killed. Body never found.
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30 September 1974
Ralph Laverty, (55)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Shot at his workplace, bakery, Orby Road, Bloomfield, Belfast.
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30 September 1974 John Cameron, (57)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY) Shot at his home, Elimgrove Street, off Cliftonville Road, Belfast. Mistaken for a Catholic neighbour.
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30 September 1978
James Taylor, (23)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: British Army (BA) Shot by undercover British Army (BA) member, Ballygoney Road, near Coagh, County Tyrone.
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Shot at his workplace, ambulance depot, Royal Victoria Hospital, Falls Road, Belfast.
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30 September 1982
Gerard O’Neill, (28)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Shot at his workplace, Rosetta petrol station, Ormeau Road, Belfast.
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30 September 1990
Martin Peake, (17) Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: British Army (BA) Shot while travelling in stolen car, Glen Road, Andersonstown, Belfast.
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30 September 1990
Karen Reilly, (18)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: British Army (BA) Shot while travelling in stolen car, Glen Road, Andersonstown, Belfast.
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30 September 1992
Harry Black, (27)
Protestant Status: Ulster Defence Association (UDA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Shot while in friend’s home, Annadale Flats, Ballynafeigh, Belfast.
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See: Robert Hamill Killing
This is simply the story of a boy trying to grow up, survive, thrive, have fun & discover himself against a backdrop of events that might best be described as ‘explosive’, captivating & shocking the world for thirty long years.
Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
15th September
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Tuesday 15 September 1970
Another landmark in the violence was reached when the one hundredth explosion in 1970 occurred. Officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) voted narrowly in favour of remaining unarmed.
[The policy was overtaken by events and eventually all officers were rearmed.]
Wednesday 15 September 1971
A Catholic civilian, William McGreanery (43), was shot dead by a British soldier in the early hours of the morning as he made his way home. McGreanery was at the junction of Westland Street and Lone Moor Road when he was shot by a soldier in a sanger in the Army base in the old Essex factory.
The soldier who shot him made a statement at the time stating he had fired at a man aiming a rifle at his post. Friends and eyewitnesses said that Mr. McGreanery was unarmed when he was shot.
[On 20 June 2010 a Historical Enquires Team (HET) report into the shooting concluded that: “It is the view of the HET that he was not pointing a rifle at the soldier at the time. He was not involved with any paramilitary organisation, he was not carrying a firearm of any description, and he posed no threat to the soldiers at the observation post.” What was also revealed during the HET investigation was that the soldier shot dead on 14 September 1971 had two close relatives also serving in Derry at that time. One of them was in the same Army base in the old Essex factory and the other in Drumahoe just outside the city.] 4
A British soldier died one day after being shot in Belfast.
Tuesday 15 September 1987
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) issued guidelines on fair employment Religious Equality of Opportunity in Employment: An Employers’ Guide to Fair Employment. Many commentators saw this initiative as a response to growing pressure from supporters of the MacBride Principles in the United States of America.
Sunday 15 September 1996
There was media speculation that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was about to call a permanent ceasefire, but this was rejected by republican representatives. There were a series of pickets by loyalists outside Catholic chapels in Ballymena, Bushmills and Dervock, all in County Antrim.
A Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor, David McAllister, said the pickets were a response to the rerouting of Orange parades and the boycott of Protestant businesses by Catholics. The protests were widely condemned. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) arrested three men in connection with the murder of Michael Whelan (35) on 12 September 1996.
Monday 15 September 1997
Multi-Party Talks Resumed While Sinn Féin (SF) entered Stormont, Belfast, to take part in the multi-party talks, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP), and the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) did not turn up for the for first plenary session. Instead the three Unionist parties attended a special meeting at the UUP headquarters in Glengall Street, Belfast.
[The three parties rejoined the talks on 17 September 1997.]
In addition to SF, the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI), Labour (Lab), the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), and the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition (NIWC) all attended the talks. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP) had walked out of Stormont on 21 July 1997 in protest at the decision to allow SF to enter Castle Buildings at Stormont. Paul Murphy, then Political Development Minister, held a meeting with UUP leaders.
Wednesday 15 September 1999
Research showed that the forensic testing for use of firearms was flawed. The ‘paraffin’ test had been used to find traces of lead particles, for example on the hands or clothing of people suspected of firing weapons.
However, research that had been commissioned by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry found that such testing was “flawed” because, for example, exposure to car exhaust could show a ‘positive’ result.
There was a paramilitary ‘punishment’ attack on a man (52) in the Waterside area of Derry. The man was shot in one leg. Loyalists carried out incendiary bomb attacks on three businesses in Ballycastle, County Antrim.
There was an arson attack on an Orange hall in Donaghmore, near Newry, County Down. The hall was damaged in the attack and “real IRA” graffiti was painted on the walls.
Saturday 15 September 2001
Loyalist paramilitaries attempted to kill a Catholic taxi driver at Parkmount Terrace, Shore Road, north Belfast, at 06.00am (06.00BST). Two youths fired a shot at the taxi which struck the vehicle but misted the driver.
The Red Hand Defenders (RHD), a cover name used by members of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), claimed responsibility for the attack. Police recovered a handgun in the area. Alban Maginness, then a Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Assembly member for the area, said the attack again called into question the Loyalist ceasefires.
A house in Donard Drive, Lisburn, County Antrim, was attacked with a petrol bomb at approximately 11.00pm (23.00BST). The house was unoccupied at the time of the attack and the kitchen was extensively damaged by fire
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 15th September between 1971 – 1993
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15 September 1971
William McGreanery, (43)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: British Army (BA)
Died shortly after being shot by sniper from Bligh’s Lane British Army (BA) base, while walking at the junction of Laburnum Terrace and Westland Street, Derry.
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15 September 1971 Paul Carter, (21) nfNI Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died one day after being shot outside Royal Victoria Hospital, Falls Road, Belfast.
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15 September 1972 John Davis, (22) nfNI Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Died three weeks after being shot while on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Meenan Square, Bogside, Derry.
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15 September 1973 Maurice Spence, (25)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Found shot in his car, Glenwherry, near Ballymena, County Antrim
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15 September 1990
Louis Robinson, (42)
Protestant Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Abducted at Irish Republican Army (IRA) roadblock, while travelling in minibus, Killeen, County Armagh. Body found shot by the side of Concession Road, Cullaville, near Crossmaglen, County Armagh, on 18 September 1990.
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15 September 1993 Adrian McGovern, (34)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot outside his home, Stoneyford Road, Lisburn, County Antrim. Contractor to British Army (BA) / Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
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This is simply the story of a boy trying to grow up, survive, thrive, have fun & discover himself against a backdrop of events that might best be described as ‘explosive’, captivating & shocking the world for thirty long years.
Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
14th September
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Tuesday 14 September 1971
Two British soldiers, Martin Carroll (23) and John Rudman (21) were killed in separate shooting incidents in Derry and Edendork, near Coalisland, County Tyrone. Another soldier was seriously injured during the incident in Derry which took place at the Army base in the old Essex factory.
[A Catholic civilian was shot dead in the early hours of the next morning from the same Army base.]
Thursday 14 September 1972
Two people were killed and one mortally wounded in a UVF bomb attack on the Imperial Hotel, Belfast.
Monday 14 September 1981
Gerard Hodgkins, then an Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoner, joined the hunger strike.
Monday 14 September 1987
James Molyneaux, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), and Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), met Tom King, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The meeting was the first of a series of ‘talks about talks’. This was the first meeting between government ministers and leaders of Unionist parties in 19 months.
Friday 14 September 1990
There was a meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (AIIC) in Dublin.
Tuesday 14 September 1993
Jean Kennedy Smith, then USA Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, began a week-long fact-finding visit to Northern Ireland.
Thursday 14 September 1995
The ‘Unionist Commission’ held an inaugural meeting in Belfast. The commission was comprised of 14 members representing a range of Unionist opinion. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was responsible for the initiative. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) was represented by two councillors acting in a personal capacity. Kevin McNamara, then opposition spokesperson on the civil service, resigned his post as a protest over the Labour Party policy which he considered was “slavishly” following the approach of the Conservative government.
Sunday 14 September 1997
An Orange Order parade planned for the Nationalist village of Dunloy, County Antrim, was rerouted by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). The Loyalists responsible for a picket outside the Catholic church at Harryville in Ballymena, County Antrim, said that because Orangemen were unable to parade at Dunloy the picket would resume.
Gerry Adams, then President of Sinn Féin (SF), addressed a rally at Belfast City Hall in support of Saoirse.
Monday 14 September 1998
The Northern Ireland Assembly met for the first time since July 1998. David Trimble, then First Minister designate, said that the issue of decommissioning remained an obstacle to the establishment of the Northern Ireland Executive. The formation of the Executive was postponed.
[The executive was established on 29 November 1999.]
Trimble also said that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) could not take part in the Executive in a selective fashion. Two former members of the UUP and an Independent Unionist joined together to form the United Unionist Assembly Party (UUAP).
Tuesday 14 September 1999
Johnny Adair became the 293rd prisoner to be freed under the Good Friday Agreement’s early release scheme. He was one of Northern Ireland’s most notorious Loyalist paramilitaries and had been sentenced in 1995 to 16 years imprisonment for directing terrorism.
There were two separate paramilitary ‘punishment’ attacks on 14 year old boys. One attack took place in Dundonald, near Belfast, and the second on the Ardowen estate, near Craigavon, County Armagh. Both boys were hospitalised as a result of their injuries.
Thursday 14 September 2000
A pipe-bomb exploded at a house in Coleraine, County Derry, although the two occupants were uninjured. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) said that the motive for the attack was unclear.
Friday 14 September 2001
People throughout Northern Ireland will observe three-minutes of silence at 11.00am (11.00BST) as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in the United States of America (USA). The Republic of Ireland is holding a national day of mourning for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States of America (USA). Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), and Mary McAleese, then President of the Republic of Ireland, will lead the mourning at an ecumenical service in Dublin.
The Irish Government asked shops, banks, schools, government offices, and businesses, to close and people attended religious services. Pubs and hotels also closed and there was limited public transport. The Republic is expected to a virtual standstill. Loyalist protesters at the Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School have said they will call off their protest at the school for one day only as a mark of respect for what happened in the USA.
John Reid, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, is to hold a meeting in London with David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), and Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The meeting will discuss the future of policing in Northern Ireland.
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.
10 People lost their lives on the 14th September between 1971 – 1986
————————————————————–
14 September 1971
Martin Carroll, (23) nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA) Shot by sniper at British Army (BA) base, Eastway Gardens, Creggan, Derry.
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14 September 1971
John Rudman, (21) nfNI Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Shot while on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, Edendork, near Coalisland, County Tyrone.
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14 September 1972 Andrew McKibben, (28)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Killed in car bomb explosion outside Imperial Hotel, Cliftonville Road, Belfast. Driving past at the time of the explosion.
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14 September 1972 Martha Smilie, (91)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Killed in car bomb explosion outside Imperial Hotel, Cliftonville Road, Belfast.
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14 September 1972 Anne Murray, (53)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Injured in car bomb explosion outside Imperial Hotel, Cliftonville Road, Belfast. She died 16 September 1972.
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14 September 1975 Seamus Hardy, (20)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY) Found shot in entry, off Columbia Street, Shankill, Belfast.
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14 September 1979
George Foster (30)
Protestant Status: Prison Officer (PO),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Off duty. Shot outside Buffs Social Club, Century Street, off Crumlin Road, Belfast.
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14 September 1981
John Proctor, (25)
Protestant Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Off duty. Shot while leaving Magherafelt Hospital, County Derry.
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14 September 1986
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Orangemen show their support for Sectarian Murderers
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John Bingham, (33)
Protestant Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Shot at his home, Ballysillan Crescent, Ballysillan, Belfast.
See below for more details on John Bingham
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14 September 1986
James McKernan, (29)
Catholic Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),
Killed by: British Army (BA) Shot shortly after being involved in Irish Republican Army (IRA) sniper attack on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Andersonstown Road, Belfast.
See:
This is simply the story of a boy trying to grow up, survive, thrive, have fun & discover himself against a backdrop of events that might best be described as ‘explosive’, captivating & shocking the world for thirty long years.
Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
Friday 21 August 1970SDLP Formed
The Social and Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) was established. The first leader of the party was Gerry Fitt and the deputy leader John Hume. Other prominent members included, Paddy Devlin, Austin Currie, Ivan Cooper, Paddy O’Hanlon and Paddy Wilson. [The party effectively took over from most of the various Nationalist and Labour party groupings and became the main political voice of Nationalists in Northern Ireland until Sinn Fein began to contest elections in the early 1980s.]
Saturday 21 August 1976
Approximately 20,000 people, mainly women from Protestant and Catholic areas of Belfast, attended a Peace People’s rally at Ormeau Park, Belfast.
Wednesday 21 August 1991
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded a large bomb, estimated at 500 pounds, near an Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) station in Kilrea, County Derry. The explosion causes damage to nearby homes and churches.
Gerry Adams, then President of Sinn Féin (SF), wrote a letter, seeking ‘open-ended discussions’, to the British and Irish governments and to political and Church leaders in Northern Ireland.
Friday 21 August 1992
Hugh McKibben (21), then a member of the Irish People’s Liberation Organisation (IPLO), was shot dead at the Lámh Dhearg Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) social club on the outskirts of Belfast. His was killed by the Belfast Brigade of the IPLO during an internal IPLO feud. Two other men were wounded in the attack.
Saturday 21 August 1999
The remains of Tom Williams were exhumed from Crumlin Road Prison and handed over to his surviving family members. Williams had been a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and was hanged in 1942 for the killing of Patrick Murphy a Constable in the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
Monday 21 August 2000Loyalist Paramilitary Feud
Two men, Jackie Coulter and Bobby Mahood, were killed as the Loyalist paramilitary feud erupted into further violence. Coulter, who had Ulster Defence Association (UDA) connections and was an associate of Johnny Adair, died immediately at the scene. Mahood, who had been seriously wounded, died later in hospital.
Loyalist sources said that Mahood had Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) connections but he opposed the Belfast Agreement and the policies of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP). The killings were carried out by the UVF and were part of a feud between the UDA and the UVF.
U.V.F Logo
In addition to the shootings there were also attacks on offices used by the two Loyalist parties closely associated with the UDA and the UVF. Troops were deployed on the streets of Belfast to try to control the situation.
[Seven people were killed during the feud which officially ended on 15 December 2000.]
Tuesday 21 August 2001
Two pipe-bombs were thrown at two separate houses at Inchcolme Avenue, Ballymena, County Antrim, at about 12.30am (0030BST). The front door of one house was damaged and a window broken in the other house. There were no injuries in the two attacks.
[The RUC have not established a motive for the attacks.]
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) announced that it required more time to respond to the ‘Patten Report – Updated Implementation Plan 2001’ (issued on 17 August 2001). James Cooper, then Chairman of the UUP, said that:
“While we are not opposed in principle to nominations to the police board, we still have a number of concerns.”
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) also missed the British government’s deadline of midday in which to respond to the policing proposals.
[The DUP were critical of the new implementation plan and were expected to make a detailed response at a later date.]
John Reid, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said that he believed that the new Police Board would be operational at the end of September 2001. Nigel Baylor (Rev), then Church of Ireland rector, criticised as “insulting” the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) parade and ‘show of strength’ on the Shankill Road in Belfast on Saturday 19 August 2001.
Baylor had led the service at the funeral of Gavin Brett (18), who had been shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries on 29 July 2001.
[Although the Red Hand Defenders (RHD) had claimed responsibility for the killing most people blamed the UDA.]
The Guardian (a British newspaper) carried a report on the results of an opinion poll on the future of Northern Ireland carried out by ICM in Britain. Of those questioned, 41 per cent stated that they thought there should be a united Ireland. Only 26 per cent felt that Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom (UK). The report stated: “For unionists, many of whom consider themselves British and refer to Britain as ‘the mainland’, today’s findings amount to a cold shoulder from their fellow citizens. Only one in four wants the province to stay part of the country.”
[This survey maked a significant shift in public opinion in Britain from the 1980s and 1990s when there was a majority in favour of Northern Ireland remaining within the UK.]
William Esson, then a reserve judge with the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, announced that he was resigning from the inquiry for reasons of ill health.
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 21st August between 1975 – 2000
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21 August 1975
John Finlay, (30)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Shot while walking to work along Brougham Street, Belfast.
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21 August 1975 David Davidson, (30)
Protestant Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot at his workplace, scrapyard / garage, Antrim Road, Ballyvessy, near Glengormley, County Antrim.
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21 August 1978
Patrick Fee, (64)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot by sniper while travelling to work in his firm’s van, Scribbagh, near Garrison, County Fermanagh. The van driver, an off duty Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) member, the intended target.
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21 August 1992
Isobel Leyland, (40)
Catholic Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during sniper attack on nearby Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) mobile patrol, while walking at the junction of Ardoyne Avenue and Flax Street, Ardoyne, Belfast
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21 August 2000
Jackie Coulter, (46)
Protestant Status: Ulster Defence Association (UDA),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot while sitting in stationary jeep, Crumlin Road, Belfast. Ulster Defence Association (UDA) / Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) feud.
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21 August 2000
Bobby Mahood, (48)
Protestant Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot while sitting with UDA member Jackie Coulter, in stationary jeep, Crumlin Road, Belfast. Ulster Defence Association (UDA) / Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) feud.
Belfast Child 