Aine Mc Grath – NI is no place to be gay. Change ). The unit had planned on launching an attack on an RUC barracks, and were unaware that their every move was being watched. Loughgall Martyrs 33rd Anniversary Ambush 1987. The SAS ambush of IRA gunmen at Loughgall has been hailed as their most successful anti-terrorist operation of the entire Troubles. Listen to this episode from The Troubles Podcast on Spotify. Playing via Spotify Playing via YouTube Playback options Arthurs, who was in America at the time of the shootings, and who returned home after learning of his brother’s death, was subsequently arrested with John Corr in 1989, when the car he was travelling in was intercepted by the RUC in Ardboe. And if so, what was the deal which guaranteed she didn’t meet the fate of others who had passed information to the RUC? The IRA's East Tyrone Brigade was active mainly in eastern County Tyrone and neighbouring parts of County Armagh. With unfortunate timing, a car carrying 2 innocent civilians drove into the ambush zone. The troopers opened fire, riddling the gunmen, the bombers and the Toyota van with bullet holes. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Speculation had been rife that there was indeed one informer or more who passed information to the RUC regarding the planned attack by the IRA on the town barrack’s, which ultimately led to their deaths. Thinking them to be an IRA back-up unit, one of the SAS cut-off groups opened fire on the car, killing the driver and wounding his passenger. Loughgall Police Station after the attack. The words of this song tell the tragedy of what happened that night. The RUC's covert intelligence unit, E4A had located the stolen digger and suspected that the IRA East Tyrone Active Service Unit (ASU) were involved. An eight-man unit of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) launched an attack on the village’s Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) base. ( Log Out / On 8 May 1987, thirty years ago this year, a gang of Provisional IRA terrorists set off to attack the RUC station in the little village of Loughgall. Posts about Loughgall Ambush written by Jim Doyle. Reports of a stolen JCB, combined with other intel (probably a mole within the IRA Active Service Unit planning the attack), convinced the authorities that a similar attack was imminent in the area. The European Court Of Human Rights determined that the lack of investigation constituted a denial of human rights to the slain IRA men. The 2 men, returning from work, were dressed in boiler suits similar to those worn by the IRA gunmen. Youtube; Email; Categories. AIA. The Loughgall ambush took place on 8 May 1987 in the village of Loughgall, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.An eight-man unit of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched an attack on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) base in the village. Was O’Neill the Loughgall informer? (solicitor) to discuss of legal reason (sic), as myself and R**** are thinking of taking the box”, (It should be noted that there is no suggestion that the solicitor mentioned was involved or indeed had knowledge of any actions, and we have therefore decided to omit his name. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). Exclusive : Was Martin McGuinness the head of the IRA’s Northern Command? Politically, its effect was less clear. “VWC” has seen the document in question, which is part of a wider archive of material smuggled out of the H Blocks in the late 1990’s. The quiet of a May evening on 8 May 1987 was shattered by the thunder of SAS guns as the Regiment (as it is known) ambushed and wiped out one of the most heavily armed and experienced Active Service Units (ASU) the Provisional IRA had ever assembled. Such a van would probably be used to carry IRA gunmen to cover the assault on the Police Station. Hope ye enjoy! Apart from the main ambush force, several cut-off groups were put in place to cover possible escape routes. SAS Ambush Eight members of the IRA's so-called 'East Tyrone brigade' Eight members of the IRA's so-called 'East Tyrone brigade' were shot dead by the SAS in a fierce gun battle at Loughgall on 8 May 1987. For details in other SAS operations in Northern Ireland, see the history of the SAS in Northern Ireland. In the days prior to the Loughgall executions Jim Lynagh had a meeting at his flat in Dublin Street, Monaghan Town with one of his Intelligence Officers. It was known as the ‘A’ Team. As... – Lyssna på The Loughgall Ambush av The Troubles Podcast direkt i din mobil, surfplatta eller webbläsare - utan app. By the mid-1980s it had become one of the IRA's most professional and effective units. The Crown case against O’Neill’s alleged abductors’ collapsed in December 1989, one month after she returned to Tyrone. Aftermath . If O’Neill did pass on information, she would have proved useful to the IRA, as they were intent in proving prior knowledge which led to a “shoot to kill” SAS operation. On Friday, the 8th of May, the stolen JCB was seen being retrieved from its hiding place in a local farm. If O’Neill did pass on any information, was she saved to protect a bigger informer in the ranks of the IRA? The SAS were mostly armed with Heckler & Koch G3 assault rifles. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Most sources believe that the security services had prior knowledge of the IRA attack weeks before nine men were shot dead by the SAS at Loughgall, which would suggest that Colette O’Neill could not have been the Loughgall informer, although she may have passed on some information – but the question that still needs to be fully answered is – just how did the SAS come to learn of the impending IRA attack? A member of an IRA unit who survived a deadly SAS ambush at Loughgall which claimed the lives of eight republicans has broken his silence for … ( Log Out / The IRA explodes a land mine under an Ulster Defense Regiment‘s (UDR) mobile patrol at Ballygawley Road, near Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.Four UDR soldiers are killed in the incident. On the Run Inquiry. The SAS ambush of IRA gunmen at Loughgall has been hailed as their most successful anti-terrorist operation of the entire Troubles. Those who were killed in the ruthless ambush became known in republican circles as 'the Loughgall martyrs', after the tiny Protestant village in Co Armagh where they fell on 8 May, 1987. ( Log Out / This episode focuses on the IRA's largest loss of life during the Troubles. Loughgall Ambush - Aftermath. Now the SAS ambush was sprung. This site uses cookies. The British authorities were criticised for the lack of a proper investigation into the incident. The hidden SAS ambush party bided their time and watched as the JCB crashed through the wire fence around the Police Station. Reports of a blue Toyota van being stolen by masked men also surfaced. Some saw the action as a firm line in the sand that signaled the UK's determination to hold its ground and meet the terrorists head on. Some even believed it would deter people from joining the IRA, whilst others thought quite the opposite. The page Loughgall ambush, along with other pages relating to The Troubles, Irish Nationalism and British Nationalism in relation to Ireland, is currently subject to active arbitration remedies, as laid out during a 2007 Arbitration case, and amended most recently in February 2019. In an understandable attempt to escape, the driver began to rapidly reverse away from the shooting. We were discussing the Loughgall inquest and here are a few points that I want yourself and ……. When, in May 1987, British Intelligence got wind of a planned IRA attack on a Police Station in Loughgall, County Armagh, the SAS prepared to intercept and ambush the attackers. The unit had planned on launching an attack on an RUC barracks, and were unaware that their every move was being watched. SAS operations against the IRA also continued. The RUC charged the two men with kidnap, and according to Mark Urban in his book, Big Boys Rules ; O Neill was taken into protective custody, but later returned after allegedly striking a deal with the IRA. In pure military terms, the SAS operation at Loughgall had been a dramatic victory. Arthurs talks of her being given a guarantee that no one would be hurt. Lynagh often worked one-on-one with people in order to minimise the risk of infiltration by the security forces. It was the largest and most ferocious firefight between the SAS and the IRA and a decidedly one-sided result. The Loughgall ambush took place on 8 May 1987 in the village of Loughgall, Northern Ireland. The nine families came together to search for the truth behind the events of May 8th which left nine men dead. Link to Loughgall ambush sealed RUC officer’s fate Policeman appeared on TV displaying captured IRA weapons after SAS operation Wed, Dec 4, 2013, 06:43 Updated: Wed, Dec 4, 2013, 06:44 We welcome contributions from anyone who feels they have something to say. When, in May 1987, British Intelligence got wind of a planned IRA attack on a Police Station in Loughgall, County Armagh, the SAS prepared to intercept and ambush the attackers. Former IRA women complain of pornography, but where do they stand on abuse revelations? Check out this great listen on Audible.com. ( Log Out / We have decided that it is in the public interest to explore the questions that it will most likely raise for the reader. This episode focuses on the IRA's largest loss of life during the Troubles. A typed note from one former IRA commander to another may shed light on a mystery surrounding the killing of eight IRA men and one civilian, shot by the SAS in 1987, in what subsequently became known as “The Loughgall Ambush”. The Ballygawley land mine attack is a bomb attack carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) on July 13, 1983. "Women and Elephants never forget" Dorothy Parker. when we were stopped by the RUC…’, (The full truth around Loughgall will probably never be exposed, however this note, written by someone who had more knowledge than most into events at that time, is of historical value. In 1985, Patrick Joseph Kelly became its commander and began implementing the strategy. None of these women shy away from controversy, believing that subjects should be tackled head on, explored, and in some cases even enjoyed. In the midst of the ambush, the explosives packed into the JCB's bucket exploded, decimating the Police Station. A few minutes later, it returned, followed by the stolen JCB, with 3 hooded men in its cab and a large oil drum in its front bucket. A suggestion that men convicted of IRA offences conspired between them to offer false evidence at the inquest, if called to the witness stand. Find the perfect loughgall stock photo. Several RUC & SAS men stayed in the Police Station to act as decoys. A woman, Collette O’Neill was found cowering in the back seat under a coat. Was part of the deal that she would be expected to explain her role in events publicly, if she was called upon? will be stating that he was returning from work in Armagh (person already boxed off)…will state that he drove into the middle of the ambush…seen the SAS men standing over the lads and firing rapidly into their bodies.”, “If yourself and ______(solicitor) aren’t happy with this line, then R****’s story could be highlighted through a friendly journalist as the RA man who got away!”. Further signals intelligence confirmed the time and place of the planned attack. In the aftermath of Loughgall… « Slugger O'Toole. Its funny how they say it was a WAR, but not for the British forces.. Reblogged this on The Broken Elbow and commented: An interesting piece on a new blog in Belfast……. At 7pm, the stolen blue Toyota van was seen driving past the Police Station, presumably scouting the area ahead of the main attack. The incident seemed, at least temporarily, to rattle the IRA, who were troubled by the breach of security that led to the ambush. It only lasted a few seconds, but the hail of gunfire had killed all 8 IRA men. Note from IRA man raises questions on Loughgall. Dated 6th May 1995, just weeks before an inquest into the killings took place, the note contains the following revelations; Writing to “Badger”, believed to be a high ranking IRA man in Tyrone at the time, Brian Arthurs, once a former top Provisional – now at odds with the current Sinn Fein strategy, and whose brother Declan was killed at Loughgall; begins, “I was over in H5 today and I’d a brilliant conversation with R****!! I’m prepared to give evidence that O’Neill made contact with myself because I was a well known republican in the East Tyrone area, and that my brother was killed at Loughgall (and because I was arrested with her!!) Members of the unit, such as Jim Lynagh and Pádraig McKearney, advocated a strategy of destroying bases and preventing them being rebuilt or repaired, thus "denying ground" to British forces. I’ll state that we were heading to a press conference in Belfast to highlight the use of informers!! on WordPress.com. In 1985 and 1986, i… ), Welcome to a collection of blogs from women who contribute with one aim - simply to write honestly. In the early evening of May 8 1987 an IRA unit began its organised assault on the RUC base at Loughgall in County Armagh. ☘️ The Loughgall Ambush. The IRA searched to find the informer it believed to be among them, although it has been suggested that the informer, if there ever was one, had been killed in the ambush. … Blair’s spinning will not weave the truth. Email : honestdigest@outlook.com, […] This from the new women’s blog Vixens with Convictions looks at some new documentary evidence around the SAS/RUC ambush at Loughgall… […], They weren’t murdered, they were legitimate targets…. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. A later investigation determined that neither men had any connection to the IRA and the family of the dead man was subsequently compensated by the British government. A typed note from one former IRA commander to another may shed light on a mystery surrounding the killing of eight IRA men and one civilian, shot by the SAS in 1987, in what subsequently became known as “The Loughgall Ambush”. Long Live The Loughgall Martyrs. They watched as the 3 hooded men jumped from the cab, one of them lighting the fuse on the oil drum. Please like this page to see future posts! The unit had planned on launching an attack on an RUC barracks, and were unaware that their every move was being watched. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Brian Arthurs. On this day 33 years ago the Loughgall Ambush took place where 8 Irish men died Here is ‘The Loughgall Ambush’ written by Gerry Ó Glacain from The Irish Brigade. 'The Loughgall ambush happened and eight people lost their lives.' As the 3 IRA men ran from the JCB, 5 armed men leaped out of the Toyota van and started firing at the station. Britain's spy in IRA 'was killed as revenge for SAS ambush' ... Lynagh, 32, was among eight Provisionals killed as they tried to blow up a police station at Loughgall, Armagh. The 7.62mm round fired by the G3 had greater stopping power than either the M16 rifles or MP5 sub machine guns usually carried by the SAS. “As for myself, if Collette O’Neill isn’t willing to help or tell her side of the story. Corroboration of the theory that at least one IRA man escaped during the shoot-out. For the first time, further information regarding the alleged discovery of an informant. Sinn Fein have posted a video of their new leader in Northern Ireland', Michelle O'Neill, and in it she refers to Loughgall. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Outside, the SAS took up ambush positions, concealed behind a row of trees behind a fence that ran alongside the road past Loughgall Police Station. An IRA attack the previous year had used a JCB digger, its front bucket packed with explosives, to ram into a Police Station before exploding. This episode focuses on the IRA's largest loss of life during the Troubles. Loughgall ambush 8th of May 1987 . We have also omitted the name of the other IRA prisoner and alleged witness to Loughall), Note the “person already boxed off” line next…, “R****;. In Ed Moloney’s Book, A Secret History of the IRA , he writes that in an interview with him, O’Neill denied being the Loughgall informer, yet admitted that the call for the IRA operation to go ahead had been made from her house. No need to register, buy now! Loughgall, County Armagh The 8th of May 1987 AD. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Read about Loughgall Ambush from The Irish Brigade's Songs Of Fallen Heroes and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. Describing the Loughgall ambush as ``one of the most serious incidents involving the security forces over the last twenty five years,'' he said: ``Obviously it is a matter of the utmost concern which requires independent and impartial investigation. By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies. It looked like the IRA operation was on. This episode focuses on the IRA's largest loss of life during the Troubles. Having studied the next part of Arthurs comm, it appears that Arthurs is stating that O’Neill had admitted her role in warning the RUC of the attack, prior to it taking place. As they moved in to attack the barracks, the British SAS were lying in wait for them.SOURCES:Excellent… The East Tyrone Brigade continued to be active until the last IRA ceasefire ten years later. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Was this part of the deal that was struck? 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