May 1966: Matilda Gould, Spence's UVF & John Scullion.
Declaration of war and innocent victims.
May 1966 was seen by many as the start of the troubles when the first true sectarian murder occurred and a declaration of war was made. Conflict in Northern Ireland, at the time, may have been lost in many news reports around the world; with Muhammad Ali beating Henry Cooper for the Heavyweight Title, The Beatles playing their last ever British concert (Empire Pool in Wembley) and even Real Madrid winning their 6th European Cup final against Partizan Belgrade taking the headlines.
On the 7th of May 1966, 76-year-old widow and grandmother, Matilda (Tilly) Gould was at her home on the Shankill Road, Belfast. Little did she know that around an hour after her daughter had left that she would be the victim of a petrol bomb attack that would destroy her home and leave her severely injured, before dying from her injuries less than 60 days later.
Ms Gould had lived beside a catholic man who owned a pub next door, which had been painted the same colour, and it became clear that this was the intended target of the petrol bomb. She had rented the small home from the catholic businessman (Gerard McKeown), and given that she suffered from arthritis and was unable to manage the stairs, she had set up her bed in the front room where the petrol bomb struck. It had also been reported that the pub and off-licence next door had previously been targeted with graffiti which read, in yellow paint, “This house is owned by a Taig - Popehead - Remember 1690”, which was a reference to the Battle of The Boyne.
One of Ms Gould’s grandchildren had told the Nolan Show in Belfast that she had learned that apparently, four men took part in the petrol bombing and that it was sanctioned by Gusty Spence, the leader of the re-emerging UVF in the area. However, at the time, there was no reported connection to any paramilitary organisation.
Did you know that I’m an independent writer? If you’re enjoying the content, why not buy me a coffee to help me keep doing what I do (caffeine keeps me writing!)?
Gusty Spence had claimed that he had been approached by two men in 1965, one of which was an Ulster Unionist Party MP, and told him that the UVF was to be re-established and that he, as an ex British Soldier, would have responsibility for the Shankill area of Belfast.
What followed was a declaration of war on the 21st of May 1966, where the UVF issued a statement.
“From this day, we declare war against the Irish Republican Army and its splinter groups. Known IRA men will be executed mercilessly and without hesitation. Less extreme measures will be taken against anyone sheltering or helping them, but if they persist in giving them aid, then more extreme methods will be adopted. ... we solemnly warn the authorities to make no more speeches of appeasement. We are heavily armed Protestants dedicated to this cause.”
This declaration came at a time when the IRA was not engaged in armed action and had been marking the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising. However, some Unionists felt that a revival of the IRA was imminent.
Just six days later, Spence sent four UVF members to attempt to kill IRA volunteer Leo Martin. However, the gunmen were unable to locate their target and subsequently drove around the Falls Road area of Belfast in search of an alternative Catholic victim. That led to the shooting of Catholic civilian John Scullion as he walked home in the Clonard area. John died of his wounds less than 3 weeks later.
Interestingly, at the time of the shootings, investigators had thought that John had been stabbed, and it wasn’t until after his remains were exhumed that it was later established that he had died from gunshots.
Spence later wrote t“At the time, the attitude was that if you couldn't get an IRA man you should shoot a Taig, he's your last resort".
This sentence summed up the tit-for-tat nature of the killings during the height of the troubles that would lie ahead.