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| The '''McGurk's Bar bombing''' was one of the first major atrocities of ], which occurred on the ], ]. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | A large bomb exploded in the doorway of a predominantly ] bar named "McGurk's" on North Queen Street in ], collapsing the building and killing fifteen people. In spite of increasing tensions and violence in ], this was the first major attack on civilians by either side, and was the precursor for many simlar atrocities. Following the attack, riots and fighting broke out across Belfast, and over a dozen people were injured, including several ] and ]. | ||
| ⚫ | Initial police speculation was that ] members had either planted the device as part of an internal feud between the ] and the |
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| ⚫ | Initial police speculation was that ] members had either planted the device as part of an internal feud between the ] and the PIRA, or that the bombers had stopped off for a drink in the pub, and their bomb had accidentally detonated. This theory meant that the explosion was never properly investigated at the time. | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | It later transpired that the PIRA had nothing to do with the attack, which was committed by members of the ], a ] paramilitary organisation. They had actually been seen setting the bomb and had claimed the bombing the following day, but were steadfastly ignored by investigators. | ||
| ⚫ | Seven years after the attack Robert Campbell, a self |
||
| ⚫ | Seven years after the attack Robert Campbell, a self-professed UVF member, admitted being the getaway driver for the team who set the bomb, as well as an unrelated sectarian murder. He recieved fifteen life sentences, but due to the seven year delay in evidence collection, nobody else has ever been arrested in connection with the attack. | ||
| ⚫ | Today the site of McGurk's bar is now a memorial to those who lost their lives, but the community of the ] area have demanded fresh inquires |
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| ⚫ | Today the site of McGurk's bar is now a memorial to those who lost their lives, but the community of the ] area have demanded fresh inquires. | ||
| ==The Dead== | |||
| The fifteen victims of the McGurk's Bar bombing. | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| *Francis Bradley, 61 | |||
| *John Colton, 49 | |||
| *James Cromie, 13 | |||
| *Philip Garry, 75 | |||
| *Kathleen Irvine, 53 | |||
| *Edward Kane, 29 | |||
| *Thomas Kane, 49 | |||
| *Edward Keenan, 69 | |||
| *Sarah Keenan, 58 | |||
| *Marie McGurk, 14 (Owner's Daughter) | |||
| *Philomena McGurk, 46 (Owner's Wife) | |||
| *Thomas McLaughlin, 55 | |||
| *David Milligan, 52 | |||
| *James Smyth, 58 | |||
| *Robert Spotswood, 38 | |||
| * | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 09:52, 18 April 2006
The McGurk's Bar bombing was one of the first major atrocities of The Troubles, which occurred on the December 4, 1971.
A large bomb exploded in the doorway of a predominantly Roman Catholic bar named "McGurk's" on North Queen Street in Belfast, collapsing the building and killing fifteen people. In spite of increasing tensions and violence in Northern Ireland, this was the first major attack on civilians by either side, and was the precursor for many simlar atrocities. Following the attack, riots and fighting broke out across Belfast, and over a dozen people were injured, including several soldiers and police.
Initial police speculation was that Provisional Irish Republican Army members had either planted the device as part of an internal feud between the OIRA and the PIRA, or that the bombers had stopped off for a drink in the pub, and their bomb had accidentally detonated. This theory meant that the explosion was never properly investigated at the time.
It later transpired that the PIRA had nothing to do with the attack, which was committed by members of the Ulster Volunteer Force, a Protestant paramilitary organisation. They had actually been seen setting the bomb and had claimed the bombing the following day, but were steadfastly ignored by investigators.
Seven years after the attack Robert Campbell, a self-professed UVF member, admitted being the getaway driver for the team who set the bomb, as well as an unrelated sectarian murder. He recieved fifteen life sentences, but due to the seven year delay in evidence collection, nobody else has ever been arrested in connection with the attack.
Today the site of McGurk's bar is now a memorial to those who lost their lives, but the community of the New Lodge area have demanded fresh inquires.