April 1976: There Is No Soft Option
In April 1976, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer in the garage of Jobs' parents’ house in Cupertino, California. It’s crazy to think that, almost 50 years on, Apple has become such a huge part of people’s lives. Without any real parallel to draw, I also love that peace in Northern Ireland has become part of people’s lives almost 50 years later. Long may it continue.
Political Developments in April 1976
April ‘76 was a slow month from a political perspective, with the only notable development coming in the shape of a change of British prime Minister. On the 5th of April, James Callaghan succeeded Harold Wilson. Having arrived in Downing Street for his first day in office, Callaghan had returned from his audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace to pose for photographs outside the door of Number 10 Downing Street with his wife Audrey.
Within hours, he made a televised address to the nation in which he promised a reforming government. However, he said, the future would not be easy.
"There is no soft option. I don't promise you any real easement for some time to come. There can be no lasting improvement in your living standards until we can achieve it without going deeper and deeper into debt as a nation."
Shootings & Stabbing in April 1976
01/04/76 - UDR soldier John McCutcheon (48) was killed in an IRA gun attack in Castledawson, County Derry.
02/04/76 - UDR soldier Robert Lennox (60) was shot dead by the IRA in Maghera, County Derry.
04/04/76 - Civilian Margaret Gamble was found stabbed to death at the junction of the Antrim Road and Glandore Gardens, Belfast. It’s not know who was responsible.
05/04/76 - UDR soldier Robert McConnell (32) was shot dead by the IRA at his home near Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.
05/04/76 - IRA volunteer Sean McDermott (20) was shot dead by the RUC shortly after carrying out a bomb attack on the Conway Hotel in Dunmurry, County Antrim.
06/04/76 - UDR soldier Gillian Liggett (33) was shot dead in an IRA sniper attack on a British mobile patrol near Middletown, County Armagh.
08/04/76 - Prison Officer Pacelli Dillon (36) was shot outside his home, Loughmacrory Park, Carrickmore, County Tyrone.
15/04/76 - IRA volunteer Peter Cleary (25) was shot dead by an undercover British Army member shortly after being apprehended near Forkill, County Armagh.
15/04/76 - An RAF Wessex helicopter carrying British paratroopers was shot down after being hit by machine gun fire and an anti-tank rocket while approaching Crossmaglen security base. The pilot managed to crash-land the machine on a nearby football pitch and wheeled it to the base. The Wessex was severely damaged, but no major injuries were reported.
19/04/76 - Prison Officer John Cummings (55) was shot dead by the IRA in Dunmurry, County Antrim.
22/04/76 - RUC Officer William Crooks (31) was shot dead by an IRA sniper while on patrol in Coalisland, County Tyrone.
26/04/76 - Civilian Rory Hawkins (27) died two weeks after being shot during an altercation with a British Army patrol outside LESA Social Club, Clyde Street, Short Strand, Belfast.
29/04/76 - Friends, Off-duty UDR member Edmund Stewart (31) and Protestant civilian Stanley Arthurs (43), died as a result of an IRA attack near Dungannon, County Tyrone.
Bombings in April 1976
07/04/76 - Three members of a Protestant family, William Herron (64), Elizabeth Herron (58) and Noleen Herron (26) were killed by the IRA when an incendiary bomb caused a fire in the drapery business below the Herron family home.
09/04/76 - The UVF exploded a no-warning bomb at Divis Castle Bar on Springfield Road, Belfast. Catholic civilian Francis Mallon (51) was killed.
09/04/76 - The UVF exploded a no-warning bomb at Lenny's Bar on Railway Street, Armagh. Catholic civilian Michael Sweeney (73) was killed and fourteen others were wounded.
16/04/76 - Civilians Vincent Hamilton (45) and Harry McAleese (23) were killed when a bomb exploded inside their workplace on Servia Street, Belfast. Although no group claimed responsibility it was reported that the blast was likely caused by "an IRA bomb stored on the premises".
17/04/76 - Civilian Rachel Hayes (79) died three weeks after being injured in a bomb attack at the ideal Home Exhibition, Olympia, London.
24/04/76 - The UVF exploded a no-warning car bomb outside Shamrock Bar in Hilltown. Catholic civilian James Byrne (63) was killed and at least two others wounded.
24/04/76 - The UVF exploded a no-warning bomb at Ulster Bar in Warrenpoint. Catholic civilian Matthew Campbell (22) died of his wounds on the 27th of April. The bomb was detonated electronically.
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Some recommended reading based on research for this instalment.