Tag Archives: Patrick Cunningham

15th June – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

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

 

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

15th June

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Sunday 15 June 1969

The Campaign for Social Justice published a second edition of ‘Northern Ireland The Plain Truth’, [PDF; ], which set out the allegations of discrimination against Catholics by Unionists in the region.

Thursday 15 June 1972

Representatives of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) met William Whitelaw, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in London and presented the Irish Republican Army (IRA) conditions for a meeting. Whitelaw accepted the proposals.

[The IRA made an announcement about the proposed ceasefire on Thursday 22 June 1972.]

Monday 15 June 1981

Sinn Féin (SF) issued a statement to say that a Republican prisoner would join the hunger strike every week.

[This was seen as a stepping-up of the hunger strike. Paddy Quinn, then an Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoner joined the strike.]

Tuesday 15 June 1982

The Falkland Islands were recaptured by British forces.

[This brought an end to the Falkands War.]

Friday 15 June 1984

A member of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and a Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer were killed in an exchange of gunfire after the RUC surrounded a house in Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast.

Monday 15 June 1987

Tom King was reappointed as Secretary for State for Northern Ireland. Nicholas Scott, formerly the Minister for State at the Northern Ireland Office, was replaced by John Stanley.

Sunday 15 June 1988

Lisburn Killings

PicMonkey Collage with text x 3

An Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb in Lisburn killed six off-duty British Army soldiers.

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See IRA Lisburn “Fun Run” bombing

A member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) was killed by the IRA in Belfast.

Thursday 15 June 1989

European Elections

Elections to the European Parliament were conducted in Northern Ireland. [The percentage share of the vote was: Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) 29.95%; Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) 25.5%; Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) 21.5%; Sinn Féin (SF) 9.2%; Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) 5.2%; Ecology Party (EP) 1.2%; Workers Party (WP) 1.1%; Others 1.6%; Turnout 48.3%. (See detailed results.)] Elections took place in the Republic of Ireland to the Dáil. Although Fianna Fáil (FF) gained that largest number of seats the party it did not win sufficient support to form a government.

[FF formed a government with the Progressive Democrat (PD) party on 12 July 1989.]

Friday 15 June 1990

Peter Brooke, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, met with representatives of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). It was announced that talks would begin after the summer holidays.

Saturday 15 June 1991

(Sir) Ninian Stephen, then an Australian High Court judge and a former Governor-General of Australia, was named as the independent chairman for the strand of the forthcoming talks (later known as the Brooke / Mayhew talks) involving relationships between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Tuesday 15 June 1993

The Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights (SACHR) argued for changes to the way in which the House of Commons dealt with legislation on Northern Ireland matters.

[Following the introduction of Direct Rule the region was governed under a Temporary Provisions Act, and Northern Ireland legislation was introduce by way of ‘Orders in Council’. The main criticism of this procedure was that the legislation could not be amended in the House of Commons.]

Wednesday 15 June 1994

Albert Reynolds, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), sent a letter containing ‘clarification’ of the Downing Street Declaration to Gary McMichael, then leader of the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP).

The letter stated: “We do not seek to impose constitutional change by stealth or coercion, whether it be a united Ireland, or joint sovereignty or joint authority. What we seek is a new accommodation between the two traditions on this island …” (Belfast Telegraph, 24 June 1994).

Thursday 15 June 1995

There was a Westminster by-election in the constituency of North Down. The by-election was called following the death on 20 March 1995 of the sitting Member of Parliament James Kilfedder. The election was won by Robert McCartney, of the United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP).

[The turnout at 39 per cent was the lowest in the history of Northern Ireland for a parliamentary by-election.]

Saturday 15 June 1996

Manchester Bombing

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded a bomb in Manchester, which destroyed a large part of the city centre and injured 200 people.

The bomb was estimated to have contained one-and-a-half tonnes of home-made explosives. Although a warning of one hour and twenty minutes was received by a local television station injuries were still caused by the sheer scale of the explosion.

In response to the Manchester bomb the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) announced that it was putting its members ‘on alert’.

Niall Donovan (28), a Catholic man, was stabbed to death near Dungannon, County Tyrone.

Tuesday 15 June 1999

In a keynote speech at Stranmillis College in Belfast Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, said the governments would “have to look for another way forward” if the devolution deadline were missed.

Blair also invited Portadown Orangemen and representatives of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition (GRRC) to new talks at Stormont in a further attempt to resolve the dispute surrounding the Drumcree parade planned for 4 July 1999.

Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), said the Irish and British governments would “set aside” the Good Friday Agreement and seek alternative means of political progress if a breakthrough was not made by 30 June 1999. Ahern told the Dáil the decommissioning issue had now been “debated to death”.

  

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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.

15 People lost their lives on the 15th June between 1974 – 1975

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15 June 1973
 Michael Wilson  (18)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Association (UDA),

Killed by: Ulster Defence Association (UDA)
Shot at the home of his relative, Ulster Defence Association leader Tommy Herron, Ravenswood Park, Braniel, Belfast. Internal Ulster Defence Association dispute.

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15 June 1974


 Patrick Cunningham   (26)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot by British Army (BA) foot patrol while in disused graveyard near his home, Benburb, County Tyrone

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15 June 1982


 Hugh Cummings  (39)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR), Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot near his workplace while walking along Lower Main Street, Strabane, County Tyrone

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15 June 1984


 Michael Todd   (22)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
Shot during gun battle after Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) members surrounded house, Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast.

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15 June 1984


 Paul McCann   (20)

Catholic
Status: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA),

Killed by: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)
Shot during gun battle after Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) members surrounded house, Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast

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15 June 1985


 Willis Agnew   (53)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot while sitting in stationary car outside friend’s home, Gortin Road, Kilrea, County Derry.

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15 June 1987
 Nathaniel Cush   (47)

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

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by booby trap bomb attached to his car outside his workplace, Tomb Street, off Corporation Street, Belfast.

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15 June 1988
 Robert Seymour   (33)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot at his shop, Woodstock Road, Belfast.

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15 June 1988


 Derek Green  (20)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Killed by booby trap bomb attached to British Army (BA) minibus, Market Square, Lisburn, County Antrim.

See IRA Lisburn “Fun Run” bombing

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15 June 1988

Michael Winkler   (31)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Killed by booby trap bomb attached to British Army (BA) minibus, Market Square, Lisburn, County Antrim.

See IRA Lisburn “Fun Run” bombing

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15 June 1988


 Mark Clavey   (24)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Killed by booby trap bomb attached to British Army (BA) minibus, Market Square, Lisburn, County Antrim.

See IRA Lisburn “Fun Run” bombing

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15 June 1988


 Graham Lambie   (22)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Killed by booby trap bomb attached to British Army (BA) minibus, Market Square, Lisburn, County Antrim.

See IRA Lisburn “Fun Run” bombing

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15 June 1988


 William Paterson   (22)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Killed by booby trap bomb attached to British Army (BA) minibus, Market Square, Lisburn, County Antrim.

See IRA Lisburn “Fun Run” bombing

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15 June 1988


 Ian Metcalfe  (36)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Killed by booby trap bomb attached to British Army (BA) minibus, Market Square, Lisburn, County Antrim.

See IRA Lisburn “Fun Run” bombing

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15 June 1989
 Adam Gilbert  (21)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot in error, by other British Army (BA) member, firing at stolen car, while on BA foot patrol, junction of New Lodge Road and Antrim Road, Belfast.

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31st May – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

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

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

31st May

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Saturday 31 August 1968

A delegation from the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) met with members of the Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC) to discuss the proposed march.

An ad-hoc Civil Rights Committee was established to organise the march on Saturday 5 October 1968.

[The Committee did not operate as anticipated and effective control of the march fell to Eamonn McCann and Eamon Melaugh.]

Thursday 31 May 1973

Loyalist paramilitaries carried out three bomb and gun attacks on Catholic owned public houses in Belfast, killing 2 men and injuring over 20 people.

In the first attack at 8.30pm a Loyalist gunman believed to be a member of the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a covername for the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), opened fire on customers in Muldoon’s Bar with a Sterling sub-machine gun (SMG).

A bomb was also thrown into the bar. Thomas Curry (50), a civilain sea captain from Preston in England, was killed in the attack.

[It was latter revealed that the gun used in the attack had been stolen from a Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) base on 23 October 1972 (Irish News; 3 May 2006).]

Later there was a bomb attack on McGlade’s Bar in Donegall Street in which Gerard Barnes (31), a Catholic civilian, was killed as he walked pass the bar. Members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) were believed to be responsible.

Friday 31 May 1974

Merlyn Rees, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said that the Ulster Workers’ Council (UWC) strike had demonstrated a rise in ‘Ulster Nationalism’ which would have to be taken into account by the Westminster government.

Thursday 31 May 1984

The Lear Fan aircraft company in Belfast announced that almost all 350 jobs at the company would end.

[The company ceased trading in May 1985. The government had invested £45 million in the firm since 1980.]

Wednesday 31 May 1989

Hugh Annesley succeeded John Hermon as the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).

Friday 31 May 1991

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) carried out a bomb attack on a Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) base at Glenanne, County Armagh, and killed three UDR soldiers. The bomb, estimated at 2,000 pounds, was placed in a lorry that was then rolled down a hill and into the perimeter fence.

Wednesday 31 May 1995

Prince Charles began a two day official visit to the Republic of Ireland. It was the first official visit by a member of the British royal family since Irish independence.

While the Prince attended a reception in Dublin Castle there was a protest outside against his visit by approximately 3,000 people.

Saturday 31 May 1997

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was forced to abandon a bomb in the Poleglass area of Belfast.

John Bruton, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), called a halt to all further contacts between officials of the Irish government and Sinn Féin (SF).

Loyalist protesters staging a picket outside the Catholic church in Harryville, Ballymena, blocked the road to deny access to the chapel. One man was arrested by the police for disorderly conduct.

 

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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.

13  People lost their lives on the 31st May between 1973 – 1993

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31 May 1972
 Michael Bruce   (27 ) nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot by sniper while on British Army (BA) mobile patrol, Kennedy Way, Andersonstown, Belfast

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31 May 1973
 Thomas Curry   (50)

nfNI
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
English seaman. Shot during bomb and gun attack on Muldoon’s Bar, Corporation Square, Belfast.

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31 May 1973


 Gerard Barnes   (31)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Passerby, killed when bomb exploded outside McGlade’s Bar, Donegall Street, Belfast.

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31 May 1974
 Alfred Shotter  (54)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by booby trap bomb hidden in dustbin at his former home, Strabane Old Road, Gobnascale, Derry

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31 May 1975


 Eamon Molloy   (22)

Catholic
Status: Irish Republican Army (IRA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Abducted somewhere in Belfast during May 1975. Remains found, on instructions from the IRA, placed in a coffin, left above ground, in Faughart Cemetary, near Dundalk, County Louth, on 28 May 1999. Alleged informer

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31 May 1976


 Frederick McLoughlin   (48)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Died two weeks after being shot during gun attack on Eagle Bar, Charlemont, County Armagh. He was injured on 15 May 1976.

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31 May 1981


 Colin Dunlop   (30)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot while guarding patient at Royal Victoria Hospital, Falls Road, Belfast.

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31 May 1981
 Michael O’Neill  (34)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by booby trap bomb in abandoned car, Drumalane Road, Newry, County Down.

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31 May 1987


 Patrick Cunningham  (27)

Catholic
Status: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA),

Killed by: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
Abducted somewhere in the County Armagh area during May 1987. Found shot, in outbuilding of unoccupied farm, Errybane, near Castleblayney, County Monaghan, on 8 December 1987.

Internal Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) dispute.

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31 May 1991
 Paul Blakely   (30)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by bomb left in abandoned lorry outside Glenanne British Army (BA) base, near Mount Norris, County Armagh.

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31 May 1991


 Robert Crozier (46)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by bomb left in abandoned lorry outside Glenanne British Army (BA) base, near Mount Norris, County Armagh.

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31 May 1991


 Sydney Hamilton  (44)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by bomb left in abandoned lorry outside Glenanne British Army (BA) base, near Mount Norris, County Armagh.

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31 May 1993
 Christopher Wren   (34)

Protestant
Status: Royal Irish Regiment (RIR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Killed by booby trap bomb attached to his car while travelling along Carrydarragh Road, Moneymore, County Derry.

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2nd September – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

Deaths in the Troubles, , , , ,

2nd September

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles 2nd

Thursday 2 September 1971

There were further Irish Republican Army (IRA) bombs across the region including one in Belfast which wrecked the headquarters of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). The explosions resulted in further injuries to a number of people.

Saturday 2 September 1972

The headquarters of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), in Glengall Street, Belfast, was severely damaged by a bomb.

Tuesday 2 September 1975

At a conference held in the United States of America (USA) representatives of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) indicated their organisations’ support for an independent Northern Ireland.

Thursday 2 September 1976

European Commission on Human Rights Decision The European Commission on Human Rights decided that Britain had to answer a case of ill-treatment of internees in 1971 before the European Court of Human Rights. The Commission found that the interrogation techniques did involve a breach of the Convention on Human Rights because they not only involved inhuman and degrading treatment but also torture. [The case had been initially referred to the Commission by the Irish government on 10 March 1976. The European Court of Human Rights made its ruling on 18 January 1978.]

Sunday 2 September 1979

The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a covername used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), threatened to target members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Wednesday 2 September 1981

Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), called for the establishment of a ‘Third Force’ along the lines of the disbanded Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) (‘B-Specials’). [Paisley envisage a legal Loyalist paramilitary group which would be used to counter the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and other Republican paramilitary groups.]

Monday 2 September 1985

Tom King replaced Douglas Hurd as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Friday 2 September 1994

The Belfast Telegraph (a Belfast based newspaper) reported the results of an opinion poll conducted by Ulster Marketing Surveys (UMS). It showed that, of those asked, 56 per cent believed that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) ceasefire had come about as a result of a secret deal. When asked about the permanence of the ceasefire only 30 per cent thought it would be permanent. Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said that he would invite other Unionist organisations to join with the DUP to form a pan-Unionist forum.

Monday 2 September 1996

There were sectarian clashes between residents in the Mountcollyer Street and Duncairn Gardens areas of Belfast and British troops were deployed in support of the police.

Wednesday 2 September 1998

The two Scots Guardsmen convicted of the murder of Peter McBride (18) in Belfast on 4 September 1992 were freed from prison. McBride’s family said they were devastated by the decision. Ms Hillary Clinton, wife of the US President, arrived in Belfast to address a ‘Vital Voices, Women In Democracy’ conference. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was reported as having issued a warning to the “real” IRA (rIRA) that it should disband “sooner rather than later”. The IRA also threatened action against members of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee

Thursday 2 September 1999

Ed Moloney, then Northern Editor of the Sunday Tribune (a Dublin based newspaper), failed in his attempt to overturn a court order compelling him to hand over notes of an interview with a man now charged with the killing of Pat Finucane. Moloney was given seven days to comply with the order or face an unlimited fine and / or five years’ imprisonment. Robert McCartney, then MP and leader of the United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP), received substantial damages in a libel action he took against the Financial Times (a London based newspaper).

Sunday 2 September 2001

There was rioting in the Limestone Road area of north Belfast. A number of petrol bombs were thrown at the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and the British Army (BA).

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.

4 People lost their lives on the 2nd September  between 1975 – 1989

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02 September 1975


 John Cathcart,  (37)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Republican group (REP)
Shot at his workplace, National Tyre Company, Frederick Street, Belfast.

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02 September 1976
 Patrick Cunningham,  (29)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)
Died three days after being found shot, Carlow Street, Shankill, Belfast.

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02 September 1989


 Patrick McKenna,  (43)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot from passing motorcycle while standing outside Ardoyne shops, Crumlin Road, Belfast.

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02 September 1989


 Brian Robinson,  (27)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot by undercover British Army (BA) members, immediately after being involved in gun attack on pedestrians outside Ardoyne shops, Crumlin Road, Belfast.

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Main source CAIN Web Service

See: 3rd September