Key Events & Deaths on this day in Northern Ireland Troubles
18th November
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Thursday 18 November 1971
A British soldier was shot dead by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Belfast.
Monday 18 November 1974
It was announced that a new high-security prison would be built at Maghaberry, County Antrim at a cost of £30m.
Tuesday 18 November 1975
Two civilians were killed and 23 were injured when members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) threw a bomb into Walton’s Restaurant in Walton Street, Knightsbridge, London.
Thursday 18 November 1982
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) kidnapped Patrick Gilmour in Derry. Patrick Gilmour was the father of Raymond Gilmour who had been a member of the IRA and an Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) informer and who had gone into protective custody to become a ‘supergrass’.
[The IRA later said that Patrick Gilmour would not be released until his son retracted his evidence.]
Sunday 18 November 1984
Garret FitzGerald, then Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), travelled to Chequers in England for an Anglo-Irish summit meeting with Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister. [FitzGerald held a private meeting with Thatcher during the evening and the main summit meeting took place on the following morning (19 November 1984).]
Monday 18 November 1985
Mary Robinson, then a Senator (and future President) in the Republic of Ireland, resigned from the Labour Party in protest at the lack of consultation before the Anglo-Irish Agreement (AIA) was introduced.
Tuesday 18 November 1986
James Molyneaux, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), and Ian Paisley, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), travelled to London to hold a meeting with Neil Kinnock, then leader of the Labour Party.
Monday 18 December 1989
Richard Needham, then Minister of Economic Development, announced a £65 million investment in Derry half of which was being invested by a Boston developer.
Thursday 18 November 1993
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) organised a series of 16 peace rallies across Ireland.
Saturday 18 November 1995
The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) held its annual conference. The conference voted to leave open the possibility of a future electoral pact with Sinn Féin (SF).
Tuesday 18 November 1997
There were riots in Lurgan and Armagh following the arrest of Colin Duffy, then a prominent Republican based in Lurgan.
[Duffy had been charged with assault following a fracas involving Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers in the town.]
Adam Ingram, then Security Minister, defended changes made to the Northern Ireland Emergency Provisions Bill particularly the removal of the powers to use internment.
[Unionists criticised the government for removing internment from the statute books.]
David Trimble, then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), held a meeting with Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, to emphasise the UUP’s opposition to cross-border bodies which have executive powers.
Wednesday 18 November 1998
Michael McGimpsey, then Security Spokesperson of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), warned that the Good Friday Agreement could collapse if there were moves to disband the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
[This statement followed reports in the Irish Times on 17 November 1998 that the Commission on the RUC would recommend members having to reapply to a new police service.]
Thursday 18 November 1999
End of the Review of the Agreement George Mitchell, then chairman of the Review of the Agreement, issued his final statement concluding the Review. He said that the basis existed for devolution to occur and the formation of an Executive to take place. Before leaving Northern Ireland to return to the USA, the Senator was thanked during a press conference in Castle Buildings by all the participants and parties involved. The review had taken 10 weeks to complete.
[The British Government later issued a statement which expressed gratitude for Senator Mitchell’s help in transforming the Northern Ireland situation from one of conflict and confrontation to one of dialogue and peace.]
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Assembly team met to discuss the political developments and authorised David Trimble, then leader of the UUP, to put the matter to a meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council (UUC) on 27 November 1999. Michael O’Hara, then a community activist from Short Strand in east Belfast, was injured when he was attacked by two men using a machete.
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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 18th November between 1971 – 1989
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18 November 1971
Edwin Charnley, (22)
nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot while on British Army (BA) guard duty at bus depot, Anderson Street, Short Strand, Belfast.
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18 November 1973
Charles Logan, (26)
Protestant
Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF),
Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
Died in premature bomb explosion at farmhouse, Desertmartin, County Derry.
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18 November 1975
Audrey Edgson, (45)
nfNIB
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by bomb thrown into Walton’s Restaurant, Walton Street, Chelsea, London.
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18 November 1975
Theodore Williams, (49)
nfNIB
Status: Civilian (Civ),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by bomb thrown into Walton’s Restaurant, Walton Street, Chelsea, London
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18 November 1976
William Kidd, (37)
Protestant
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot at his workplace, a building site, Trench Road, Altnagelvin, Derry.
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18 November 1981
James McClintock, (57)
Protestant
Status: ex-Ulster Defence Regiment (xUDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Shot while on his way home from work, Newbuildings, County Derry.
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18 November 1985
Robert Boyd, (55)
Catholic
Status: Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Off duty. Shot outside his home, Prehen Park, Waterside, Derry.
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18 November 1989
Stephen Wilson, (23)
nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by remote controlled bomb hidden in derelict cottage, detonated when British Army (BA) mobile patrol passed, Mayobridge, County Down.
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18 November 1989
Donald Macaulay, (20)
nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by remote controlled bomb hidden in derelict cottage, detonated when British Army (BA) mobile patrol passed, Mayobridge, County Down.
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18 November 1989
Mathew Marshall, (21)
nfNI
Status: British Army (BA),
Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Killed by remote controlled bomb hidden in derelict cottage, detonated when British Army (BA) mobile patrol passed, Mayobridge, County Down.
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