July 1976: Intended Targets
July 1976 saw the formal reunification of North and South Vietnam. meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, the conflict continued with the aim of Republicans to reunite the North and South of Ireland.
Political Developments in July 1976
July began with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Merlyn Rees announcing the outcome of a review of security force response to violence in Northern Ireland. The review made several recommendations including; increasing the manpower level of the RUC, establishing specialised investigation teams, making greater use of the RUC reserve, and trying to encourage more support from the Catholic community. These were some of the practical consequences of the policy of 'police primacy' announced by Rees on the 25th of March 1976.
On the 29th of January, in the House of Commons, Rees also said that there had been no contact between government officials and Sinn Féin since the beginning of the year.
Shootings in July 1976
01/07/76 - Catholic civilian Brian Palmer (39) was shot dead by the IRA in the Finaghy area of Belfast. The IRA claimed he was an informer.
02/07/76 - The UVF killed six civilians (five Protestants, one Catholic) in a gun attack at the Ramble Inn pub near Antrim. The pub was targeted because it was owned by Catholics. The victims were Frank Scott (73), Ernest Moore (43), James McCallion (39), Joseph Ellis (27), James Francey (50) and Oliver Woulahan (20).
03/07/76 - British soldier William Miller (19) was shot dead by an IRA sniper while manning a checkpoint on Butcher Street in Derry.
06/07/76 - Catholic civilian Vincent Hetherington (21) was shot dead by the IRA in Hannahstown, Belfast. The IRA claimed he was an informer.
06/07/76 - Protestant civilian Gerald Gardiner (27) died two weeks after being shot outside his workplace, Goodyear Tyre Factory, Craigavon, County Armagh. An off-duty UDR member was the intended target.
07/07/76 - The UDA shot Catholic civilian James Rooney (43) at his shop on Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast. He died the following day.
09/07/76 - Catholic civilians Mervyn McDonald (26) and Rosaleen McDonald (24), a husband and wife, were killed in an attack on their home by the UFF, a cover name for the UDA.
11/07/76 - Protestant civilian Thomas Mckenzie was found stabbed to death on a waste ground near Divis Flats, Belfast.
13/07/76 - OIRA Volunteer Gerard Gilmore (19) was shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries near Greencastle, Belfast. No specific group claimed responsibility for the killing.
25/07/76 - The UVF shot dead Catholic civilian Patrick McNeice (54) at his home in Ardress. The attack has been linked to the Glenanne Gang.
29/07/76 - Off-duty RUC officer George Johnston (24) was killed by a British soldier following an argument at a checkpoint in Bessbrook, County Armagh.
30/07/76 - Protestant civilians John McCleave (48), John McKay (50), James Doherty (70) and Thompson McCreight (60) died as a result of a gun attack on the Stag Inn, Belvoir, Belfast. The attack was carried out by the Republican Action Force, believed to be a cover name for some members of the IRA.
31/07/76 - RUC officer Thomas Cush (52) was shot dead by an IRA sniper on Church Street in Lurgan.
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Bombings in July 1976
03/07/76 - The UFF claimed responsibility for bombing four hotels in the Republic of Ireland. There were explosions in Dublin, Rosslare, Limerick and Killarney but no fatalities.
07/07/76 - Two senior RUC officers were seriously injured after an IRA double agent led them to an arms dump outside Portadown. When the officers picked up one of the weapons it triggered a booby trap which detonated. One of the officers lost an arm, a leg and an eye in the explosion.
08/07/76 - The UFF bombed the Salthill Hotel in Galway, also without fatalities.
17/07/76 - IRA members Peter McElcar (24) and Patrick Cannon (20) were killed when the bomb they were transporting in a car exploded prematurely. The explosion took place in Castlederg, County Tyrone.
18/07/76 - Civilian Gordon Liddle (28) was killed by a booby-trap bomb planted in the laneway of his home at Drumgole, County Fermanagh. It is believed the bomb was planted by the IRA and was meant for two close relatives who were RUC reserve officers.
21/07/76 - British Ambassador to Ireland Christopher Ewart Biggs (54) was killed in a landmine attack on his official car in Sandyford, Dublin. His secretary, Judith Cook (25), was also killed in the explosion. Merlyn Rees was originally to have travelled in the car as well.
21/07/76 - British soldier David Evans (20) was killed by a booby trap bomb in an Army base in Derry.
29/07/76 - Catholic civilians Daniel McGrogan (27), Joseph Watson (65) and Thomas Hall (62) were killed as a result of a bomb attack on Whitefort Inn, Andersonstown Road, Belfast. 30 others were wounded. The attack was carried out by Loyalist paramilitaries.
30/07/76 - UDR soldier Robert Scott (28) was killed by a booby trap bomb attached to a gate at his father's farm, Druminard, near Moneymore, County Derry.
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Some recommended reading based on research for this instalment.
More Questions Than Answers: Reflections on a Life in the RUC by Kevin Sheehy.
