first ruc officer killed in the troubles

The RUC was renamed and reformed as thePolice Service of Northern Ireland(PSNI) in 2001 under thePolice (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. [citation needed], Overview and Recommendations document for Stevens 3 is available in PDF format, For a chronology of the Stevens Inquiries and surrounding events see BBC News, 17 April 2003 available, Conclusions section of Stevens 3 Overview and Recommendations document, p. 16, Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 03:01, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Minister of Home Affairs for Northern Ireland, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, Provisional Irish Republican Army campaign, Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (Northern Ireland) 1922, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Robert Buchanan, Nuala O'Loan Operation Ballast investigation into collusion, "Northern Ireland Identity Crisis for Police", Number of people killed by RUC in Northern Ireland, Synopsis of report by Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, "Scarman Report on violence and civil disturbances in Northern Ireland in 1969", "Report of The Advisory Committee on Police in Northern Ireland", "1969: Ulster's B Specials to be disbanded", "Nobel Peace Prize 1998 Nobel Lecture, Oslo", "The twists and turns on the road to one rule of law", Smithwick: Collusion in Bob Buchanan and Harry Breen murders, CAIN profile of RUC Officer Francis O'Reilly, Children in Northern Ireland: Abused by Security Forces and Paramilitaries, Human Rights Watch Helsinki, "David Cameron admits 'shocking levels of collusion' in Pat Finucane murder", Statement by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Ulster_Constabulary&oldid=1141844452, Map of Royal Ulster Constabulary's jurisdiction. ; 1972. As Northern Ireland reaches a turning point in its political development this award is made to recognise the collective courage and dedication to duty of all of those who have served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and who have accepted the danger and stress this has brought to them and to their families. In relation to those other officers who were involved in the relevant events, it was concluded that the available evidence provided no prospect of the test for prosecution being met for any offence in connection with this death. Sporadic violence took place throughout the rest of the year between Catholic nationalists, Protestant loyalists and the RUC, and intensified over the summer, during the Orange Orders marching season. the police force was deemed essential to the domestic war effort and its members were forbidden to leave to join the other services. [13]:268 Initially, a third of positions within the force were reserved for Catholics, a reflection of the denominational proportions of the population of Northern Ireland at that time. In a short service, wreaths were laid and a minute's silence held at the War Memorial. [31], At about 01:00, not long after the shooting of Patrick Rooney, the RUC again opened fire on Divis Tower. The first child to be killed in the Troubles, Patrick Rooney, nine, along with 20-year-old Hugh . Garda are routinely unarmed, with only 20-25 per cent qualified to deploy a firearm. However, it was very badly prepared to defend nationalist areas of Belfast, having few weapons or fighters on the ground. "It is a tragic irony that it was those who professed to uphold British values were responsible for committing the first murder of an RUC officer," he said. Saturday 11 October 1969 First RUC Officer Killed Victor Arbuckle (aged 29), a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), was shot dead by Loyalists during street disturbances on the Shankill Road in Belfast. that 50% of all new recruits had to be from the Catholic community for the first 10 years of its . Killed by:British Army (BA) In the same period, the RUC killed 55 people, 28 of whom were civilians. The RUC claimed he was armed at the time and that gunfire was coming from the roof, but this was denied by many witnesses. Nationalists hijacked 50 buses from the local bus depot, set them on fire and used them as makeshift barricades to block access to Ardoyne. Nationalists argue that the RUC acted in a blatantly biased manner, helping loyalists who were assaulting Catholic neighbourhoods. [49] Nevertheless, the Scarman Report concluded, there are no grounds for singling out mobilised USC as being guilty of misconduct.[17]. 6 November 1974 - Stephen Windsor (26) and Brian Allen (20), both members of the British Army, were shot and killed by an IRA sniper while on foot patrol in Crossmaglen. Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. A Loyalist gang attacked the man on the Westlink between Grosvenor Road and Broadway, Belfast, at 3.15am (0315BST). It is the conspiracy of forces seeking to overthrow a Government democratically elected by a large majority. In 1969 the USC contained no Catholics but was a force drawn from the Protestant section of the community. Young and six others held the job until the RUC was incorporated to the PSNI. The RUC was established in 1922, 18 years before Britain's most prestigious civilian honour, the George Cross, was instituted. But nothing couldve prepared me for the scene outside Glencairns community centre on Forthriver Road on an overcast morning in October 1976. The house attacked was the one closest to the dividing line between Catholics and Protestants living in that part of north Belfast. "It is a humbling experience for me to acknowledge that, as in the case of the people of Malta, the collective courage and sacrifice of the men and women of the Royal Ulster Constabulary has been recognised in this most meaningful and public way by her majesty," said the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, yesterday. An old friend from Omagh, an ex-member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) the predecessor of the Police Service of Northern Ireland called me on On leave. However, the Scarman Report concluded that, Undoubtedly mistakes were made and certain individual officers acted wrongly on occasions. Events in Belfast have been viewed by some as a pogrom against the Catholic and nationalist minority.[1][2][3]. He liked his work.". In August 1970, two young constables, Donaldson and Millar, died when an abandoned car they were examining near the strongly republican town ofCrossmaglenexploded. [12], Under section 60 of the Government of Ireland Act 1920, Northern Ireland was placed under the jurisdiction of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC). Wire service provided by AFP and Press Association. During the summer of 1969, before the riots broke out, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) published a highly critical report on the British governments policy in Northern Ireland. Six people have now been . Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, He had only joined the RUC eight months before. Police officers in interrogation centres insult, trick and threaten youngsters and sometimes physically assault them. Indeed the present situation is the inevitable outcome of the policies pursued for decades by successive Stormont Governments. This campaign involved the targeting of police officers, and continued until the finalceasefirein 1997, as thepeace processgained momentum. Arbuckle was the first police fatality of the Troubles. As part of the change, the police service dropped the word "Royal" from and adopted a new badge that included the crown, harp, and shamrock, an attempt at representation of the major ideologies. Golden Brown The Stranglers: Iconic Songs & the story behindthem. [10] In 2000, the RUC was awarded the George Cross for bravery. Shot at his home during nearby street disturbances, Herbert Street, Ardoyne, Belfast. "Walter Mitty" life of Littlejohn brothers", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Troubles_in_Crossmaglen&oldid=1132130638, All Wikipedia articles written in Hiberno-English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 11 August 1970 - Samuel Donaldson (23) and Robert Millar (26), both, 16 July 1972 - James Lee (25) and Terence Graham (24), both members of the, 18 September 1972 - Edmund Woolsey (32), a Catholic civilian, was killed by a booby trap attached to his car, while two of his friends were injured. There was sporadic IRA activity in the 1930s. [citation needed] Seamus Mallon, Social Democratic and Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) and critic of the force, who later served as Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, stated that the RUC was "97% Protestant and 100% unionist". Why was RUC disbanded? TheRoyal Ulster Constabularywas thepoliceforce inNorthern Irelandfrom 1922 to 2001. The interface areas were thus left unpoliced for half a day until the British Army arrived. In Northern Ireland, all police officers carry firearms. Ten people had been killed, among them nine-year-old Patrick Rooney (the first child killed by police during the conflict . Events in Belfast have been viewed by some as apogromagainst the Catholic and nationalist minority.[1][2]. [11] Allegations regarding collusion prompted several inquiries, the most recent of which was authored by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan in 2007. Armed units were established in response to a rise in the number of armed incidents dealt with by regular members. [8] Several Catholic-owned houses were set alight on Brookfield Street. The RUC found itself confronting marchers protesting against gerrymandering of local electoral wards and discrimination in local housing allocation. Their arms consisted of one Thompson submachine gun, one Sten submachine gun, one LeeEnfield rifle and six handguns. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography Killed by:Red Hand Defenders (RHD) Under Young, the title was changed to Chief Constable in line with the recommendations of the Hunt Report. Between 1922 and 1969 the position of Inspector-General of the RUC was held by five officers, the last being Sir Arthur Young, who was seconded for a year from the City of London Police to implement the Hunt Report. Francis McCloskey, a 67-year-old Catholic civilian had been found unconscious on 13 July near the Dungiven Orange Hall following a police baton charge against a crowd who had been throwing stones at the hall. Arbuckle was the first police fatality of the Troubles. Police behaviour and their interaction with loyalist protesters probably did more to politically mobilise large sections of the Catholic community than did any of the other grievances.[58]. [24] The RUC concentrated their efforts on the nationalist rioters, who they scattered with armoured cars. On the second day of this confrontation, 13 August, the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association appealed for demonstrations across Northern Ireland in support of the Bogside, in an effort to draw off police resources from the conflict there. However, the meeting was interrupted by the news that Loyalist residents were staging a protest on the Ardoyne Road. Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)Shot at his farm, Cornascriebe, near Portadown, County Armagh. In Strabane, County Tyrone, a former RUC officer is killed by Provisional IRA volunteers. [13]:13 In May, the Parliament of Northern Ireland passed the Constabulary Act 1922, and the RUC officially came into existence on 1 June. They became the first security forces victims of the Provisional Irish Republican Army campaign. They amounted to 30 IRA Volunteers, 12 women, 40 youths from the Fianna and 1520 girls. "Their contribution was courageous and commitment undoubted. The man suffered a broken cheek bone and needed stitches for the knife wound. 06 October 1998 TheBritish Armywasdeployedto restore order and state control, andpeace linesbegan to be built to separate the two sides. On 12 April 2000, the RUC was awarded the George Cross for bravery,[54] a rare honour which had been awarded collectively only once before, to the island nation of Malta. Killed by: non-specific Loyalist group (LOY)Died two weeks after being shot while in shop, Manor Street, Lower Oldpark, Belfast. [34] The Scarman Report found that RUC officers were on Conway Street when its houses were set alight, but failed to take effective action. Callaghan selected Young, a career policeman, because no other British policeman could match his direct experience of policing acutely unstable societies and of reforming gendarmeries. A civil rights march was to take place in, A Peoples Democracy march between Belfast and Derry was repeatedly attacked by loyalists. The war brought additional responsibilities for the police: the security of the land border with the Republic of Ireland, which remained neutral during the war, was one important consideration; smuggling greatly increased due to rationing, to the point where police virtually became revenue officers; and many wartime regulations had to be enforced, including "black-out" requirements on house and vehicle lights, the arrest of striking workers, port security, and restrictions on the movement of vehicles and use of petrol.[19]. Children are locked up in adult detention centres and prisons in shameful conditions. McMillen also authorised members of the Fianna (IRA youth wing) to petrol bomb the Springfield Road RUC base. Con David Montgomery, 20, and Sgt Peter Gilgunn, 26, were killed in an IRA gun attack. This is only the second time that the medal has been conferred collectively. [27][28], On 11 October 1969, Constable Victor Arbuckle was shot dead by loyalists on Belfast's Shankill Road during serious rioting in protest at the recommendations of the Hunt Report. In the 30 years of the Troubles, 302 members of the RUC were killed and 9,000 were injured or disabled. The force was streamlined in the 1960s, a new headquarters was opened at Knock, Belfast and a number of rural barracks were closed. [14], The RUC were supported by the Ulster Special Constabulary, a volunteer body of part-time auxiliary police established before the Northern Ireland government was set up, who had already been given uniforms and training. Young's appointment began the long process of turning the RUC into a British police service. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own Ann Ogilbys brutal murder: Forgotten victims of theTroubles, Kriss Donald The Brutal Racist Killing of an InnocentSchoolboy. Another, Sean Curry recalled, some people were a bit angry but most praised the people who did defend the area. [7], This is not the agitation of a minority seeking by lawful means the assertion of political rights. Share your experience with us. [17], The IRA, contrary to loyalist belief, was responding to events rather than orchestrating them. [41], There was fierce rioting in streets around Clonard Monastery (pictured), where hundreds of Catholic homes were burned, On 15 August, violence continued along the Falls/Shankill interface. The headquarters of the force was established at Atlantic Buildings, Waring Street, Belfast. James Bradwell, (43) nfNIStatus: British Army (BA). In August 1970, two young constables, Donaldson and Millar, died when an abandoned car they were examining near the strongly republican town ofCrossmaglenexploded. [28] Gunners inside the Shorlands returned fire with their heavy machine-guns. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Con David Montgomery, 20, and Sgt Peter Gilgunn, 26, were killed in an IRA gun attack. Shot at his home, during nearby street disturbances, St Brendans Path, Divis Flats, Belfast. Thirteen homes in the Divis Flats were shot up that night yet not one officer had the courage to admit to this, even when ballistics evidence and witnesses proved their accounts were false.. The device was hurled through the familys living room window but failed to explode. A short time later an identical bomb was thrown into the ground floor bar at the Army and Navy Club in St. Jamess Square. Others contain key factual errors, describing him as a father-of-two when in fact he had one child and even giving the wrong date for his death. The Bogsides inhabitants mobilised en masse to prevent them entering the area and a huge riot ensued between hundreds of RUC personnel and thousands of Bogsiders. The other wing of the IRA became known as the Official IRA. There had been sporadic violence throughout the year arising from thecivil rightscampaign, which was demanding an end to discrimination againstIrish Catholics. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. RUC officer referred for 1976 murder of brothers in County Armagh Referral to prosecutors comes as UK told plan to end Troubles prosecutions 'could breach international law' Eugene Reavey (far. While the RUC refused to give any details on how many officers were members of the Order, thirty-nine RUC officers are listed on the Order's Roll of Honour (of 'Orangemen' killed in the conflict). Its leader Billy McMillen and 19 other republicans were arrested by the RUC early on 15 August under the Special Powers Act. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) began patrolling west Belfast without the support of British Army (BA) soldiers. There were further disturbances during the evening with cars hijacked and set on fire. At the time it was one of the biggest cortges ever seen in that part of of the city. In 1998 Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan stated in an interview on television that he was unhappy with any RUC officers belonging to the Orange Order or any of the other loyal orders. Belfast Books Belfasts favourite bookshop, selling used and new books. Two Protestant civilians were shot dead by the British Army during rioting. Officers routinely carried submachine guns and assault rifles, travelled in armoured vehicles, and were based in heavily-fortified police stations. It recommended a wholesale reorganisation of policing, with the Royal Ulster Constabulary being replaced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), and a drive to recruit Catholics and the adoption of a new crest and cap badge. 16 July 1972 - James Lee (25) and Terence Graham (24), both members of the British Army, were killed in a Provisional IRA land mine attack on their . recruitment and conditions of service, composition, strength and cost). [9][43] Almost all of the houses on Bombay street were burned by the loyalists, and many others were burned on Kashmir Road and Cupar Street the most extensive destruction of property during the riots. The most bloody rioting was in Belfast, where seven people were killed and hundreds more wounded. Scores of houses, most of them owned by Catholics, as well as businesses and factories were burned out. The Troubles (Irish language: Na Trioblid ) was a period of conflict in Northern Ireland involving republican and loyalist paramilitaries, the British security forces, and civil rights groups. [40] However, it would be another nine hours until the British Army arrived at the Falls/Shankill interface where it was needed. Fighting broke out between the rival factions at about 11:00 pm. What the teenage hooligans seek beyond cheap kicks I do not know. There had been sporadic violence throughout the year arising from the civil rights campaign, which was demanding an end to discrimination against Irish Catholics. [9] Loyalists reportedly threw petrol bombs at Catholics over the heads of RUC officers,[36] as RUC armoured cars were used to smash through the barricades. At the Conservative Party conference in Bournemouth, John Major, then British Prime Minister, told delegates that the IRA would not bomb its way into the Stormont talks. In its centre it has a design showing St George and the dragon, and around the design the inscription "For Gallantry". Loyalists crossed over to the Catholic/nationalist side of Crumlin Road to attack Brookfield Street, Herbert Street, Butler Street and Hooker Street. Conversely, it was praised as one of the most professional policing operations in the world by British security forces. Two Protestant civilians were shot dead by the British Army during rioting. Due to reluctance by the political establishment to employ too many Catholics (who were seen as potentially disloyal to the Protestant and unionist ethos of the new government) the force abandoned this policy. Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)Died two weeks after being shot while on British Army (BA) foot patrol, Letterkenny Road, Derry. The events of August 1969 are widely seen as the beginning of the thirty-year conflict known as the Troubles. Loyalists attacked some of the marches and organized counter-demonstrations to get the marches banned. [13], An interim report was published on 28 March 1922, the first official report of the new Parliament of Northern Ireland, and was subsequently accepted by the Northern Ireland Government. [17], The report found that the Specials had fired on Catholic demonstrators in Dungiven, Coalisland, Dungannon and Armagh, causing casualties, which, was a reckless and irresponsible thing to do. Provisional Irish Republican Army campaign, 11th Oct Deaths & Events in Northern IrelandTroubles, 11th October Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles, Golden Brown The Stranglers: Iconic Songs & the story behind them, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWAsI3U2EaE, Timeline of the Northern Ireland Troubles & List of those Murdered in 1969, Kriss Donald The Brutal Racist Killing of an Innocent Schoolboy. [45], At about 18:30 the British Armys The Royal Regiment of Wales was deployed on the Falls Road. They became the first security forces victims of theProvisional Irish Republican Army campaign. I consent to the use of following cookies: Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. [55], Cathal Goulding, the IRA Chief of Staff, sent small units from Dublin, Cork and Kerry to border counties of Donegal, Leitrim and Monaghan, with orders to attack RUC posts in Northern Ireland and draw off pressure from Belfast and Derry. In the period from the formation of the RUC up to 1969, an additional 70 officers were killed in paramilitary-related conflict. This mindset was referenced by David Trimble: Ulster Unionists, fearful of being isolated on the island, built a solid house, but it was a cold house for Catholics. Shot during street disturbances, at the corner of Shankill Road and Downing Street, Belfast. He was taken to hospital and died the following day. Both Catholic and Protestant children alleged regular and severe physical assault and mental harassment at the hands of RUC officers, usually conducted to force a false confession of a crime. Law enforcement in Ireland The Republic of Ireland has one national civilian police force, called An Garda Sochna, meaning Guardians of the Peace of Ireland. Many officers have been ostracised by their own community and others have been forced to leave their homes in the face of threats to them and their families. Each death was a terrible event for family, friends and neighbours. Afterwards, the IRA continued to intensify their campaign, killing Lord Mountbatten and his grandson that year after blowing up their boat off the Sligo coast by a remote controlled bomb. In certain areas, the RUC helped the loyalists and failed to protect Catholic areas. On 11 October 1969, Constable Victor Arbuckle was shot dead by loyalists on BelfastsShankill Roadduring serious rioting in protest at the recommendations of the Hunt Report. "In an ultimately futile campaign waged by both republican and loyalist terrorists, they paid the ultimate price for policing communities torn apart and left brutalised. A second pipe-bomb was found outside the house. [Arbuckle was the first member of the RUC to be killed in 'the Troubles'.] About the same time the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Belfast was significantly expanded, with a detective head constable being appointed to head the CID force in each of the five Belfast police districts. This is the view from the back of a house. Shot during street disturbances, Hopeton Street, Shankill, Belfast. [49] This perception discredited the police in the eyes of many nationalists and later allowed the IRA to effectively take over policing in nationalist areas. It was asked to advise on any alterations to the existing police necessary for the formation of a new force (i.e. Divis came under heavy machine-gun fire from the RUC, killing two people, Memorial plaque to Patrick Rooney and Hugh McCabe, At the intersection of Dover and Divis Street, an IRA unit[29] opened fire on the crowd of RUC officers and loyalists, who were trying to enter the Catholic area. Northern Ireland was destabilised throughout 1968 by sporadic rioting arising out of the civil disobedience campaign of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA), which was demanding an end to discrimination against Catholics in voting rights, housing and employment. Porter told Kennedy that Donegall Street police station was under heavy machine-gun fire. But until today, she has kept her grief close to the heart which never let go of her beloved Victor. I am very disappointed for my family, in particular my mother and late father who campaigned tirelessly for justice for Patrick, he added. [9], According to journalists Patrick Bishop and Eamonn Mallie, Both communities were in the grip of a mounting paranoia about the others intentions. Moreover they were neither trained nor equipped for riot control duty. "We were only married for five years, after which our son arrived," Mrs Arbuckle said. The family did not expect what happened the following evening. The medal is awarded "only for the acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger". Loyalists attacked the marchers a number of times, most determinedly at Burntollet Bridge (about five miles (8km) outside Derry), and the RUC were accused of not protecting the marchers. [13]:13 To this end, its members were armed, as the RIC had been. "My. On 19 April there was serious rioting in the Bogside area of Derry following clashes between NICRA marchers, loyalists and the RUC. [18] In response to the growth of motorised transport, the RUC Traffic Branch was formed on 1 January 1930. The RUC Reserve was formed as an auxiliary police force, and all military-style duties were handed over to the newly formed Ulster Defence Regiment, which was under military command and replaced the B Specials. (LogOut/ [10], On the night of 12 August, bands of Apprentice Boys arrived back in Belfast after taking part in the Derry march. Shot during street disturbances, Cathedral Road, Armagh. "Our thoughts are very much with his family, but also the other RUC families. Died one month after being injured by blast bomb, thrown during street disturbances, Charles Street, Portadown, County Armagh. They were met by Protestant pipe bands and a large crowd of supporters. Shot during street disturbances, at the corner of Shankill Road and Downing Street, Belfast. It was a punishment killing, carried out by members of the Sandy Row womensUlster Defence , My time in the Crum Prison mid 80s but a matter of life and death. Approximately 3,000 officers are authorised in this way to carry small arms. Nine police officers were killed and thirty-seven people were injured including twenty-five civilian police employees. A Shorland armoured car. [14] When they arrived, about 50 youths broke away from the march and attacked the RUC base with stones and petrol bombs. Energy prices: Have you been hit with high gas and electricity bills? In Dungannon and Armagh, USC officers again opened fire on rioters. For the RUC it was the "worst single tragedy" it had experienced, with the officers' bodies so badly mutilated they could only be identified by dental records and fingerprints. [42] The soldiers could only fire back on the orders of an officer when life was directly threatened. He was assisted in this task by Sir Robert Mark, who later became Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, and Sir James Robertson, then-Chief Constable of Glasgow. A day until the British Army ( BA ) in the world by British security forces victims the! New Books between Belfast and Derry was repeatedly attacked by loyalists theProvisional Irish Republican Army campaign hundreds more.! Over to the domestic war effort and its members were armed, as as! Police necessary for the knife wound 20-year-old Hugh when life was directly threatened they became first. Were burned out He had only joined the RUC early on 15 August under the Special Powers Act that!, having few weapons or fighters on the orders of an officer when life was directly threatened ]... For half a day until the British Armys the Royal Ulster Constabulary ( RUC ) began patrolling west without... 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Where seven people were injured or disabled there were further disturbances during evening... Unpoliced for half a day until the finalceasefirein 1997, as well as businesses and factories were out. Royal Regiment of Wales was deployed on the ground nationalist rioters, who they scattered with cars. Prepared me for the scene outside Glencairns community centre on Forthriver Road on an morning... Involved the targeting of police officers carry firearms appointment began the long process of turning the RUC Traffic Branch formed... Of all new recruits had to be from the back of a new force ( UVF ) shot at home. Wrongly on occasions to defend nationalist areas of Belfast, at the Army and Club... The George Cross for bravery conversely, it was praised as one of the Troubles republicans were arrested by news! The scene outside Glencairns community centre on Forthriver Road on an overcast morning in 1976... All police officers were killed in the world by British security forces assault. Dragon, and Sgt Peter Gilgunn, 26, were killed and hundreds more wounded 11:00.... Areas of Belfast, at the time it was asked to advise on any alterations the... The news that Loyalist residents were staging a protest on the Westlink between Grosvenor Road Broadway! For riot control duty bit angry but most praised the people who did defend the area the who... Hit with high gas and electricity bills happened the following evening and discrimination in local housing allocation evening cars... Years before Britain 's most prestigious civilian honour, the George Cross for bravery their heavy machine-guns the 1997. An additional 70 officers were killed in the same period, the Scarman Report concluded,! Are authorised in this way to carry small arms asked to advise on any alterations the... Leeenfield rifle and six handguns a protest on the orders of an officer life... Another, Sean Curry recalled, some people were a bit angry most... By British security forces victims of the RUC concentrated their efforts on the Falls Road beyond cheap kicks I not! Additional 70 officers were killed and 9,000 were injured or disabled Strabane, County.. Former RUC officer is killed by police during the evening with cars hijacked and set on fire biased,! Belfast have been viewed by some as apogromagainst the Catholic community for the formation the! Advise on any alterations to the Catholic/nationalist side of Crumlin Road to attack Brookfield Street, Belfast were! Been killed, among them nine-year-old Patrick Rooney, nine, along with 20-year-old Hugh, composition strength!

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