June 1976: Bars Targeted
In June 1976, the US was presented with the oldest known copy of the Magna Carta. Written in iron gall ink on parchment in medieval Latin, I’d say it would probably have been easier to translate that than to get politicians in Northern Ireland to agree on anything at the time…
Political Developments in June 1976
On the 4th of June, DUP leader Ian Paisley disclosed information about a series of secret talks between the Ulster Unionist Party and the Social Democratic and Labour Party. The two parties had held five meetings since March 1976.
Just 2 days later, in response to the recent upsurge in violence, the British government announced that it was sending an additional 200 troops to Northern Ireland.
Following Ian Paisley’s revelation, the United Ulster Unionist Council took a vote opposing any talks between the Ulster Unionist Party and the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Merlyn Rees gave details in the House of Commons on the 14th of June of a committee which had been set up to see how the Royal Ulster Constabulary could be more effective in enforcing law and order in Northern Ireland. This was an additional step in the policy of 'criminalisation'.
Shootings & Stabbings in June 1976
02/06/76 - The IRA shot dead off-duty RUC member Ronald McAdam (31) outside the Royal Victoria Hospital, Falls Road, Belfast.
02/06/76 - The IRA also shot dead UDA member John Parsons (31) at his home in Cambrai Street, Shankill, Belfast.
02/06/76 - Protestant civilian David Spratt (23) was shot dead by Loyalist paramilitaries in Comber, County Down. A Catholic man had been the intended target.
02/06/76 - RUC Officer Linda Baggley (19) died nine days after being shot by the IRA at Chapel Road, Waterside, Derry.
04/06/76 - The UDA shot dead Protestant civilian William Spring (51) on Waterproof Street, Belfast. It’s reported that he was mistaken for a Catholic.
04/06/76 - Protestant civilian Alexander Patterson (42) was shot while travelling in a black taxi, along Upper Crumlin Road, Belfast.
05/06/76 - The UVF carried out a gun attack on the Chlorane Bar, Gresham Street, Belfast, killing Protestant civilians Daniel McNeill (47) and Samuel Corr (53), as well as Catholic civilians James Coyle (50), Edward Farrell (45) and John Martin (59).
05/06/76 - Sinn Féin member Colm Mulgrew (26) was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, a cover name for the UDA, at Camberwell Terrace, Belfast.
05/06/76 - The UVF launched a gun and bomb attack on the Rock Bar near Keady. Gunmen shot a Catholic civilian in the street outside, then fired at customers through the windows and threw a nail bomb inside, but it only partially exploded. The attack has been linked to the Glenanne Gang – three RUC officers were convicted of carrying out the attack and a fourth was convicted for withholding knowledge about it.
07/06/76 - Civilian Paul McNally (26) died two days after being shot by a passing car while standing outside Ardoyne Shops, Crumlin Road, Belfast.
11/06/76 - Four British bases in Belfast were attacked with mortars and gunfire within minutes of each other. Several British soldiers were hurt and an IRA volunteer was shot.
11/06/76 - Civilian William Palmer (50) died 3 days after being shot at his home, Milltown Avenue, Derriaghy, near Belfast.
11/06/76 - The RUC shot dead UDA volunteer Edward Walker (20) as he travelled in a stolen car in Newtownabbey, County Antrim.
12/06/76 - Civilian Liam Prince (26) was shot while travelling in his car at a British Army vehicle checkpoint, near Forkhill, County Armagh.
17/06/76 - Catholic civilians Brendan Meehan (48) and Gerard Stitt (21) were shot dead, by the loyalists, as they travelled on a bus on Crumlin Road, Belfast.
17/06/76 - Catholic civilian Daniel McCann (50) died 11 days after being shot by the IRA in a case of mistaken identity.
19/06/76 - UDA member Wesley Nicholl (40) was shot dead at his home in Dunmurry, County Antrim.
19/06/76 - Civilian William Rankin (32) was shot at his home by the IRA, Westland Road, Belfast.
20/06/76 - Civilian Edmund McNeill (22) was found stabbed to death beside Ballysillan Playing Fields, Alliance Road, Belfast.
20/06/76 - Civilian Richard Doherty (27) was shot at his home, Alexandra Park Avenue, Skegoneill, Belfast.
25/06/76 - Protestant civilians Ruby Kidd (28), Francis Walker (17) and Joseph McBride (56) were shot dead during a gun attack on The Store Bar (also known as Walker's Bar), Lyle Hill Road, Templepatrick, County Antrim. The attack was carried out by a group called the Republican Action Force, believed to be a cover name for some members of the IRA.
26/06/76 - Catholic civilian Daniel Mackin (20) was found stabbed to death off Brookvale Street, Belfast. His father said the man had once been an Official IRA sympathiser but had never joined the organisation. It is believed the UVF was responsible.
30/06/76 - British soldier Oliver Eaton (42) was shot dead in an IRA gun attack on the Springfield Road in Belfast.
If you’d like to support the newsletter, why not buy me a ☕️ ?
Bombings in June 1976
05/06/76 - Catholic civilian Christopher Byers (24) was killed when the UVF exploded a bomb at the International Bar in Portaferry.
05/06/76 - Republican paramilitaries carried out a bomb attack on the Times Bar, York Road, Belfast, killing Protestant civilians Edward McMurray (41) and Robert Groves (45).
18/06/76 - The UVF exploded a no-warning bomb at Conway's Bar in Newtownabbey. Catholic civilian Robert Craven (51) was killed.
25/06/76 - Loyalist paramilitaries attacked the Catholic-owned Hunting Lodge pub, Stewartstown Road, near Andersonstown, west Belfast. The bomb explosion injured 20 people. The attack was believed to have been carried out by the UDA.
28/06/76 - British soldier William Snowdon (18) was killed when the landing zone of his helicopter-borne patrol was the subject of an IRA landmine attack near Crossmaglen, County Armagh.
30/06/76 - IRA volunteer Bernard Coyle (17) was killed during an attack on a British patrol when a grenade he was handling exploded prematurely.
Thanks very much for reading. I hope you found it interesting and will come back on Tuesday!
I appreciate everyone who recently hit that heart icon ❤️ at the bottom. It makes it easier for other people to find this newsletter.
Thanks for the support!
If you’d like to let me know what you thought of today’s instalment, feel free to leave a comment below.
Some recommended reading based on research for this instalment.