Tag Archives: real” IRA

Can you help me join the Real IRA ?

Blog,

Some fool emailed me yesterday and although he was probably taking the pee he proclaimed he wanted to join the RIRA and enquired if I could help him.

This really pissed me off!

Well James  there’s nothing funny about terrorists who killed innocent people and I’m in two minds whether to report you are not, who knows – the local police may be interested to know about your views or perhaps they are already familiar with you and know you are a complete Tosser .

So do me a favour and go away……….

new-ira-membership

For the record…….

My blog and other online platforms are dedicated to the memory of all innocent victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles  ( regardless of political or religious background ) and I have never hid behind the fact that I am extremely proud of my Protestant upbringing in West Belfast .

proud_to_be_british_by_the_angus_burger-d58yegj

That doesn’t mean I hate Catholics or wish harm on them, it means I have a different point of view and democracy is all about freedom of choice and my choice is to maintain the Union with the UK and embrace and celebrate my loyalist culture and traditions.

In fact during the worst years of the troubles whenever I learnt of the death of an innocent Catholic or anyone else for that matter, my heart would bleed for them and those they left behind.

My sympathy extended to all innocent victims of the conflict, regardless of religious or political background , including the army and other security forces tasked with the impossible job of policing two communities whom at times seemed to want to destroy each other.

I am a pacifist at heart and I abhor all murder, especially the murder of innocent people & those committed for political or religious reasons. Life’s to short and  hard enough without having to worry that you will be killed for following a certain political system or worshipping a different god.

The definition of loyalist is :

a. A supporter of union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

b. A person who remains loyal to the established ruler or government, especially in the face of a revolt.

Growing up in West Belfast during the height of the troubles was no laughing matter and I have seen things that no child should ever have to witness .Death stalked the streets of Belfast day in and day out and there was no escape from the madness that surrounded and engulfed us…

See Proud to be British

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14th April – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

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

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

                                                                                           14th April   

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Friday 14 April 1972

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded 23 bombs at locations all over Northern Ireland.

[Public Records 1972 – Released 1 January 2003: Current Situation Report No 118 by A.W.Stephens, then Head of Defence Secretariat 10 at the Ministry of Defence, providing details of security incidents during the previous 24 hours in Northern Ireland.]

Wednesday 14 April 1982

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) carried out a raid on the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) headquarters in Belfast.

The raid uncovered ammunition and gun parts. Four leading members of the UDA were arrested.

[At this time the UDA was not a ‘proscribed’ organisation. It was only declared illegal on 10 August 1992.]

Sunday 14 April 1991

Bishop Desmond Tutu, from South Africa, attended an Anglican conference in Newcastle, County Down. Tutu said that Sinn Féin (SF) should be invited to attend the forthcoming talks on the future of Northern Ireland.

Tuesday 14 April 1992

Michael Newman

A British Army (BA) recruiting sergeant died after being shot by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) in Derby, England.

[This was the first killing by the INLA in Britain since March 1979.]

Thursday 14 April 1994

Teresa Clinton

Teresa Clinton (34), a Catholic Civilian, was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), a cover name (pseudonym) used by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), during a gun attack on her home, off Ormeau Road, Belfast.

Her husband had been a former Sinn Féin (SF) election candidate.

The UFF carried out another gun attack and wounded of two Catholic civilians.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) offered to clarify, for the benefit of SF, specific points related to the Downing Street Declaration (DSD).

Friday 14 April 1995

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) discovered 40 weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition which were believed to belong to the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). The cache was found in Holywood, County Down.

[Three men were arrested following the discovery. A second cache of arms was later found in the town.]

Monday 14 April 1997

There was an arson attack on St Peter’s Catholic church in Stoneyford, County Antrim. The chapel was badly damaged by the fire.

A man (24) was seriously injured in what was believed to be a Loyalist ‘punishment’ shooting that took place in the Ballysally estate in Coleraine, County Derry.

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was believed to be responsible for a ‘punishment’ beating attack on a man in Derry. The man subsequently went into hiding.

See Corporal Killings

Patrick Mayhew, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, referred the case of Patrick Kane to the Court of Appeal. Kane had been convicted of, and was serving a life sentence for, the murder of corporals Derek Wood and David Howes on 19 March 1988.

Tuesday 14 April 1998

In the Republic of Ireland the Irish authorities released nine Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoners from Portlaoise Prison. On their release the prisoners pledged their “total support” for the leadership of Sinn Féin (SF).

[The releases were criticised by Unionists and by the Garda Representative Association.]

Wednesday 14 April 1999

Liz O’Donnell, then Irish Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, acknowledged that the Hillsborough Declaration would not be the basis for resolving the decommissioning impasse.

Saturday 14 April 2001

Bomb Explosion in London

There was a bomb explosion at a Post Office delivery depot in north London at 11.28pm (2328BST).

There had been no warning of the bomb but no one was injured in the explosion which caused “minor” damage to the building at The Hyde in Hendon. The “real” Irish Republican Army (rIRA) was thought to have been responsible for the attack.

 

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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.

8 People lost their lives on the 14th  April   between 1973– 1994

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14 April 1973


 Robert Millen,   (23)

Protestant
Status: Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot from passing car while standing in McClure Street, off Ormeau Road, Belfast

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14 April 1974
 Anthony Pollen,  (27)

nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Undercover British Army (BA) member. Shot while observing Republican Easter commemoration parade, Meenan Square, Bogside, Derry.

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14 April 1975


 Stafford Mateer,   (32)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: not known (nk)
Died two days after being shot while driving his car, at the junction of Albertbridge Road and Woodstock Road, Belfast.

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14 April 1978


 James McKee,  (61)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot while driving school bus, Creggan, near Pomeroy, County Tyrone.

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14 April 1978

Robert McCullough,   (27)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot at his home, Rathmore Drive, Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, County Antrim.

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14 April 1986


 White, Keith (20)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)
Died 15 days after being shot by plastic bullet, during street disturbances, Woodhouse Street, Portadown, County Armagh.

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14 April 1992


 Michael Newman,   (34)

nfNIB
Status: British Army (BA),

Killed by: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)
Shot shortly after leaving British Army (BA) recruiting office, Derby, England.

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14 April 1994


 Teresa Clinton,  (34)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot during gun attack on her home, Balfour Avenue, off Ormeau Road, Belfast. Her husband a Sinn Fein (SF) member.

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7th September – Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles

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

7th September

Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles

UVF Logo
UVF Logo

Sunday 7 September 1975

The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) shot dead one of their members near Templepatrick, County Antrim, alleging that the had been an informer.

Friday 7 September 1979

James Molyneaux succeeded Harry West and became the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). [Molyneaux was to remain as leader of the UUP until 28 August 1995.]

Monday 7 September 1981

Two Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers were killed in a landmine attack carried out by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on their mobile patrol near Cappagh, County Tyrone. John Pickering, then an Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoner, joined the hunger strike. [ 1981 Hunger Strike.]

Wednesday 7 September 1983

A referendum was held in the Republic of Ireland on whether or not to include an amendment to the Irish Constitution banning abortion. When the counting was completed 66.9 per cent had voted in favour of the ‘pro-life’ amendment. A number of Unionists in Northern Ireland criticised the outcome as demonstrating the sectarian nature of life in the Republic.

Friday 7 September 1984

A member of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) and a Protestant civilian were killed in an Irish Republican Army (IRA) attack in County Tyrone.

Monday 7 September 1987

John Cushnahan, then leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) announced that he was to resign as party leader.

Thursday 7 September 1989

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) shot and killed Heidi Hazell, the German wife of a British Army soldier serving in Dortmund, West Germany.

Wednesday 7 September 1994

Patrick Mayhew, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, addressed a group of Orange Order member in Comber, County Down. Mayhew is reported to have told the group that there was no reason why north-south bodies could not have executive powers. Al Gore, then United States Vice-President, had a meeting with Albert Reynolds, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), at Shannon Airport, Republic of Ireland.

Monday 7 September 1998

“real” IRA Announce Ceasefire The “real” Irish Republican Army (rIRA) announced a “complete cessation” of its campaign of violence.

[The announcement came after weeks of intense pressure on the group in the wake of the Omagh bombing. The only remaining Republican grouping that had not called a ceasefire was the Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA).]

Bertie Ahern, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), called on the CIRA to state its position or face the full rigours of the law. A Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer was critically injured when a blast bomb was thrown at him as he policed an Orange Order / ‘Loyalist Right to March’ demonstration at Drumcree, County Armagh. Two Catholic-owned businesses were also destroyed in petrol bomb attacks.

Friday 7 September 2001

Loyalists held a silent protest as Catholic children and parents passed along a security cordon to get to the Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School. The decision on a silent protest was as a mark of respect for Thomas McDonald (16) the Protestant boy killed in Belfast on Tuesday (4 September 2001) who was due to be buried later in the day.

Catholic parents held a minute’s silence before beginning their walk to the school. Inside the school grounds prayers involving clergymen from both denominations were said.

[This was the fifth day in the current round of protest at the school which first began on 19 June 2001.]

During the evening two men were found in the Nationalist New Lodge area of Belfast with gunshot wounds following a Republican paramilitary ‘punishment’ attack. One had been shot in both ankles, the other had been shot in both wrists and both ankles. The men, one aged 18 years and the other aged 19 years, had been abducted by a gang of up to 15 men on Thursday evening.

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 7th September  between 1972 – 1993

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07 September 1972


 Robert McKinnie,   (49)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot during street disturbances while driving his car along Matchett Street, Shankill, Belfast.

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07 September 1972


 Robert Johnston,   (50)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: British Army (BA)
Shot during street disturbances, Berlin Street, Shankill, Belfast.

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07 September 1973
 Mathew Lilley,   (54)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot while collecting milk from farm, near Belcoo, County Fermanagh.

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07 September 1974
 Mary Bingham,  (58)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot during sniper attack on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Dungannon, County Tyrone.

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07 September 1975
 Robert McCreight,  (21)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Found shot at farm, Lylehill, near Templepatrick, County Antrim. Alleged informer.

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07 September 1977
 John Lawlor,  (38) nfNIRI
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot while in Timmon’s Bar, Watling Street, Dublin. Alleged informer.

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07 September 1981


 Mark Evans,  (20)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in land mine attack on Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) mobile patrol, Sessadonaghy, near Cappagh, County Tyrone.

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07 September 1981


 Stuart Montgomery,  (19)

Protestant
Status: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed in land mine attack on Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) mobile patrol, Sessadonaghy, near Cappagh, County Tyrone.

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07 September 1984

Robert Bennett,  (45)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot at his workplace, a timber yard, Ballygawley Road, Dungannon, County Tyrone.

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07 September 1984


 Malcolm Cullen,  (23)

Protestant
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot at his workplace, a timber yard, Ballygawley Road, Dungannon, County Tyrone. With off duty Ulster Defence Regiment member at the time.

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07 September 1988


 William Quee, (32)

Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Association (UDA),

Killed by: Irish People’s Liberation Organisation (IPLO)
Shot at his shop, junction of Century Street and Oldpark Road, Belfast.

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07 September 1989


 Heidi Hazell,  (26) nfNIE
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
German woman married to British Army (BA) member. Shot while sitting in stationary car outside British Army (BA) married quarters, Unna Messen, Dortmund, West Germany

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07 September 1990


 Emmanuel Shields,  (34)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot at his home, Deramore Street, Ballynafeigh, Belfast.

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07 September 1992


 Charles Fox,   (63)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ), Killed by:

Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot at his home, Listamlat Road, near Moy, County Armagh.

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07 September 1992


 Teresa Fox,  (53)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Shot at her home, Listamlat Road, near Moy, County Armagh.

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07 September 1993


 Sean Hughes,  (40)

Catholic
Status: Civilian (Civ),

Killed by: Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF)
Shot at his hairdresser’s shop, Donegall Road, Falls, Belfast

Main source CAIN Web Service

See: 8th September