Remembrance: Enniskillen 1987…
There’s not much to add to this piece by Diana Rusk recalling the events in Enniskillen twenty years ago this week, except to note the names of those who died…
There were three married couples – Wesley Armstrong (62) and wife Bertha (55), Billy Mullan (74) and wife Agnes (73), Kit Johnston (71) and wife Jessie (62).The others who died were Sammy Gault (49), Ted Armstrong (52), Johnny Megaw (67), Alberta Quinton (72) and the youngest victim, Marie Wilson (20).
A 12th person, Ronnie Hill, who slipped into a coma days after the explosion, never woke up and died almost 14 years later.
provos biggest failure!
I recall lying in bed @ 1 mile from the bomb site that Sunday morning ( with the usual student hangover) and hearing the bang and shortly after a neighbour of our family ( protestant living in predominantly catholic estate) coming into our house shouting with rage that the bastards had blown up the remembrance parade. I recall the shock but that was nothing to getting the bus back to Belfast later that day and overhearing someone a few years ahead of me at school stating how good it as that ” we had got so many of them this morning ) or words to that effect. Grim
I believe the provos didn’t intend to kill civilians but didn’t care much either way and had they killed 12 soldiers or service people instead I would still regard it as an appalling crime and unnecessary
An appalling crime in the litany of appalling crimes and surely the families deserve to eventually know who carried it out
Lest we forget
that comment you overheard really was disgusting rapunsel. i can’t believe someone was prepared to say such a thing, let alone within earshot of other people. it makes me think that although many people talk of this being a great ‘watershed’ in the troubles, in reality there were many nationalists who had no remorse whatsoever and carried on supporting the IRA to carry out equaling unjustified crimes. then there are the people who soon forget the horrific nature of the IRA’s deeds and vote for a smiley Sinn Fein face a few years later.
Words fail me on this one.
Lets not forget the bomb planted in Pettigo on the same day, the command wire ran through a field over the border, it thankfully didnt go off because if it had, it would’ve killed a lot of Boys & Girls Brigade members attending the remembrance service there.
So much for the Provos military campaign.
Lets also not forget the Provos weasel words when they claimed shortly afterwards that the Brtish Army had set the Enniskillen bomb off on purpose.
Cromwell, you and others might like to (re)read the Dail debate of November 10, 1987.
Cromwell, you and others might like to (re)read the Dail debate of November 10, 1987.
Nevin
All that talking in the wind and not one person was every convicted, not one.
I hope the usual republican apologists for the sectarian murder of Protestants will for once have to dignity and respect to leave this without their standard revolting litany of qualification, excuses and whatabouttery.
Many, many republicans felt that way about Enniskillen – they delighted in the slaughter of elderly Protestants and young nurses. They didn’t like the blowback in terms of PR but they inwardly loved the death toll, the background of the targets and the desecration of an act of remembrance. And as that poster points out, sometimes not inwardly.
The more recent Quinn killing is the first in which SF urged people to provide information to the police. Such urging was utterly impossible, though is no less a moral imperative, in relation to Enniskillen.
The strength of historical cultural antagonism to providing information leading to conviction means, in 2007, that Republicans can still completely justify the killing of men like Eamon Collins.
How then can it be expected that anyone who knows about either Enniskillen or the Quinn killing will reveal what they know, lest they join the dead “touts” – many of whom, with supreme irony, were killed by the ultimate tout, Scappaticci.
Outsider, if I can coin a phrase, the Provisional Republican Movement, back in 1987, had a Scenario for Peace in one hand – and a bomb in the other. Fortunately, the Eksund didn’t get through.
One detail of that day I recall was the swift condemnation from the government of the USSR.
There was more international disgust over Enniskillen than the local media allowed us to know.
“For the first time in the Troubles, the IRA admitted it had made a mistake, planting the device in a building owned by the Catholic church to, they said, target security forces patrolling the parade.” IRISH NEWS
Why was that building owned by the Catholic church not searched?
Reflecting on the sheer horror of this day never fails to make an impact. One’s first thought is to offer condolences to the families and friends of the victims who might be reading this. They must find Remembrance Sunday extremely difficult every year.
Cromwell is right to point out that the intention that day was also to blow up a neighbouring Boys’ Brigade parade. Disregard for human life doesn’t even begin to describe the mentality of those responsible.
Thanks for that Nevin, interesting stuff, also thanks in retrospect to Mr Dukes & Des O’Malley, but especially to Dick Spring who said;
“The Provisional IRA are engaged in a fascist war of genocide against a large section of the population of Northern Ireland. Anyone who supports them or provides a haven of refuge for them is taking sides in that war just as surely as Hitler’s stormtroopers took part in the war of genocide against the Jews. Anyone who stays silent in the face of IRA atrocities is just as guilty as those who stayed silent about the Jews. No other analogy can be drawn. Romantic notions about the IRA, notions about them being freedom fighters, are as responsible for the killing and maiming of innocent people as anything else.”
We can do without the invocation of Godwins Law for the above methinks.
Its about time Sarkos best mate, new found “oily” friend of the west, Gadaffi, was held accountable for this, he seems to have been forgotten since the payoff for Lockerbie.
Why was that building owned by the Catholic church not searched?
UMH
Can you imagine the backlash the soldiers would have been met with if they had requested to search this building.
If a bomb had been found within the building the Catholic church would have claimed the army planted it to scaremonger.
Besides how on earth would anyone comprehend that there was a bomb in a building owned by the Catholic church. However as much as it pains me to say there are those connected to this church who did know about it.
One of many sad days…
Ulster’s my homeland – If I remember correctly the Provos took advantage of local sensitivities regarding the RUC/Army searching the property.
This was just another aspect of an atrocity that was motivated by sectarianism, and which sought to increase sectarian division.
Outsider – That is a very serious, and as far as I know unproven allegation
Outsider – That is a very serious, and as far as I know unproven allegation
TD
Nothing being proven about this attrocity nobody was ever convicted and its difficult not to believe that someone from the church did not know about it, I hope its not the case though.
McGuinness’ ‘War and Peace‘ strategy makes on mention of the Eksund or Black November.
“If a bomb had been found within the building the Catholic church would have claimed the army planted it to scaremonger.”
Outsider
This is not the first time you have made an outrageous accusation with absolutely no “facts” to support it.You seem to be the flip side of another person who recently took his leave of this blog.
Please think before you post.
Joe Cannuck
Don’t lecture me on this subject you are not from Fermanagh and do not know what the grassroots views are up here.
Oh my. Touched a raw nerve,I guess.
Someone doesn’t like healthy criticism.
I think many of your outrageous assertions say more about yourself than some of those whom you’re trying to demonise.
Enniskillen bombing – Expressions of sympathy in Seanad Éireann
Nevin
“Fortunately, the Eksund didn’t get through.”
The earlier shipments did and it is possible the Garda and MI5 knew of the shipments and where they were being landed. See Sean O’Callaghan’s book.
Outsider, perhaps it’s worth pointing out that the various Churches and organisations like the Loyal Orders and the AOH are very widely embracing bodies. Sadly, they’ve been far too weak in confronting the demons within.
In the spirit of the occasion perhaps you ought to reflect on your earlier comments.
Thanks, fd.
“Besides how on earth would anyone comprehend that there was a bomb in a building owned by the Catholic church. However as much as it pains me to say there are those connected to this church who did know about it.”
Outsider, it annoys me that the Army and RUC never searched this building. I find that their total neglect in this building is shameful, do you think likewise?
“”Ulster’s my homeland – If I remember correctly the Provos took advantage of local sensitivities regarding the RUC/Army searching the property.” ”
Token Dissent, what do you mean local sensitives regarding the property? Was the police refused access to search it or what?
the night before the bombing there was a group of men playing cards in the reading rooms (the catholic building referred to). Some of them heard noises from the stairs but didn’t think anything of it – as you wouldn’t, I might add, since church buildings like these were often left open for people to come in and out as they pleased. i don’t think you can infer from that that someone from the church in any meaningful capacity was involved in planting the bomb
Skintown Lad, I wasn’t referring that someone from the church was involved in planting the bomb, I an interested in knowing why the police and army didn’t search the premises. Token Dissent stated there were ‘local sensitives regarding the property’, I would like to know what these local sensitives were?
“i don’t think you can infer from that that someone from the church in any meaningful capacity was involved in planting the bomb ”
Actually, I think you’ve given certain people exactly the information they didn’t have previously to believe just that…
I knew the reading rooms well having attended lots of events there over the years , it was a terribly decrepid old building and very poorly maintained. I am unaware of any sensitivities about the ruc/army searching the building and haven’t seen much evidence that was the case and can anyone point to proof that the building was not searched?
Regretably many posters on this thread have retreated anti catholic sectarianism
i wonder, i don’t see how. my point is that the building was probably just left open so anyone could come in and out, whether they had any connection with the church or not. pretty obvious point even if the building was locked, since the bombers could easily have broken in.
Ulster’s my homeland – i wasn’t responding to your post
This is what David Hearst from the Guardian reports, Monday November 9, 1987.
Sir John also admitted that while the route of yesterday’s planned march through Enniskillen, a grey army town on the western borders of Northern Ireland, had been searched before for the parade, the building in which the bomb was planted – a former Catholic school, now a community centre – had not been searched because it was thought it was a “secure area”.
How could you think such a thing Sir John?
Sir John said: “The location of the building has been known for many years as a place of congregation for pedestrians and relatives, and never at any time had it been used by members of the security forces.”
This contradicts what the IRA claimed in the Irish News link when they said, “had made a mistake, planting the device in a building owned by the Catholic church to, they said, target security forces patrolling the parade.
This is all froth – the fact is that (which is likely given the ultra gaelic/catholic edge to the Provos in the area) if some or indeed all of the bomb team told a priest in confession what they had done, he would have told them they were forgiven and not informed the police.
Which says it all.
Does anyone know if this building was searched in the years leading up to the bombing?
Whats the difference who owned it. Anyone can break into any building.
Just reading this has brought so much of that awful time back to mind. Many young folks don’t fully understand just how bad some of those days were. Two Ulster generations were poisoned in mind & soul. Many lost their lives & many families were broken in body & spirit.
I had just turned 20 & having grown up in the minority community in the NW knew my place: Keep your head down & get on with life. I had seen my neighbours get killed & had at least half dozen school friends get their dads murdered by the IRA. I remember plain-clothes police sit at the back of church just in case the provos would show up. Enniskillen just added to it all. How low would the enemy go? Nothing was safe.
My dad had done some work for the Wilson’s the week before. He had enjoyed a cuppa with Marie & Gordon & I remember how devastated he was after it happened. For me seeing the injured at Altnagelvin hospital & the suffering that they went through & thinking over all the others on both sides of the community who lived the rest of their days with these injuries was what affected me the greatest. The young guy with his facial bones held together with wire is the image in my memory.
(found a story on it here-www.nwipp-newspapers.com/fh/free/306313947773086.php)
All of NI suffered during the troubles. I only share a little of how I saw things or how it affected me. No community, district or family had a monopoly on suffering. Violence & suffering only begat more of the same. Gordon Wilson’s message of forgiveness in the midst of tragedy was as clear a sound as I have ever heard. My hatred (& I had lots of it in the 1980′s) was a poison that took years to walk away from. For my parents generation I think many will take the poison with them to the grave. My generation has a chance & the youth of today need to be educated together & grow up together & encouraged to walk to a different beat then their respective tribes.
Reading some of the other threads you wonder just how far have we really come? Is your identity wrapped up in “who you are not” instead of who you are…
Blessings
David
Exactly nine county ulster. It’s not about who owned it, it’s about why Sir John deemed it “a secure area”
It’s also about finding out what these ‘local sensitives regarding the property’ are.
Don’t know who this John fella is but “local sensitives” sounds a bit silly. If they went in and searched it without wrecking the place I don’t see what the problem would have been.
That bombing was a disgrace. An ‘armed struggle’ against pensioners and married couples.
Dave, your thoughts on Gordon Wilson’s words being “as clear a sound as I have ever heard” brought a very unexpected surge of emotion just there. So true.
Thank you Dave. That was an outstanding, moving and well judged post.
I regret engaging in the speculation around the security of the building. It has advanced to some levelling blame at those who used the hall, which is totally out of order.
Nasty, ignorant comments about Catholicism do nothing but pollute what should be a solemn topic.
I was at Sunday School that day. Mr Armstrong usually took the class but that day he went to the ceremony at the cenotaph so Mr Bolton took the class instead. After the class I stood on the street waiting to be picked up and noticed Mrs McFarland on the other side of the road. She didn’t seem to know where to go. She kept turning around like she’d forgotten why she was there and her face was all pulled in, tight. Another woman from the church walked past and Mrs McFarland just said “there’s been a bomb at the cenotaph”. Her face stayed the same, contracted. I looked at her, wondering what happened when bombs went off. I was always hearing about bombs. But I will never forget that face. After church I went home and played on the kitchen floor while Mummy was making the dinner. I said “there was a bomb today at the remembrance”. Mummy immediately stopped chopping the onions. I looked up at her. She made the same face that Mrs McFarland had. Then she hurried to the phone, saying ‘Daddy is on the parade today’. Daddy was in the UDR. The UDR tried to stop the men who made the bombs go off. I told Mummy with a little laugh that he would be angry cos he didn’t catch them in time. Mummy called the barracks and then she didn’t look at me for a long time. Eventually the phone went again and she spoke quietly to the person on the other side. “Daddy’s ok” she said, and then she cried. I looked at her, trying to reconcile her words with the crying. That’s good isn’t it?
Later that night Daddy came home. There was a picture of Mr Armstrong, my Sunday School teacher, on the news. The man said he was a victim.
Let us not forget.
We shall tell our children and grandchildren as long as we are alive and this atrocity will live long in our memories and be handed down from generation to succeeding generations.
Normally we have Republican posters on here calling for justice for victims. They are a bit silent at the moment regarding Enniskillen. Although Sinn Fein/IRA lost some political support in Fermanagh after the bombing, their vote returned. Roman Catholics continue to vote for the group which murdered their Protestant neighbours.
As regards the post relating to the Roman Catholic church, would it surprise people if some of their priests were involved? There are a number of Roman Catholic priests whose media statements are very Sinn Fein IRA friendly.
We will remember them … as Margaret Thatcher said: “It’s really desecrating the dead and a blot on mankind”.
Men, women and children murdered and injured by Sinn Fein IRA.
A black day. A vicious atrocity. An act of pure hatred and ethnically-driven callousness, whatever spin one wants to put on it. In forty years of madness, this was one of the great landmarks of insanity and inhumanity.
Many thanks to CincinnatiDave for a profoundly moving post. And thanks also for invoking the memory of the great Gordon Wilson. A truly inspiring figure in bleak times.
To Ulsterfan, I would say that while it’s easy to utter a phrase like “let us not forget”, I also think it’s important that we do not, either intentionally or unintentionally, hand down to future generations the kind of hatred and bitterness that found its expression in events like Enniskillen and others. Do you really want your children to grow up with the same anger in their hearts about Enniskillen as those who lived through it?
As for P&J, your attitude sadly demonstrates how the kind of sectarian hatred that fuelled our forty years of madness is still with us, and pitiably, ensures that we are not yet secure from future atrocities like the one of twenty years ago. Your post was utterly hateful. One of the most shameful expressions of opinion I have ever heard – and by God, that’s saying something.
Some good points in Dail debate – sad that FF clearly refused to engage in unambiguous condemnation and to deal with problem (should fit well with teh SDLP’s modus operandi)
Particularly like this point by Tomás Mac Giolla:
Nowhere has this tactic been more obvious than in County Fermanagh where a great number of Protestants have been murdered by the Provisionals. Some might have had connections with the security forces as many of the Loyalists [204] in the area would. The Provos have constantly extended their targets to members and former members of the UDR. In that regard Ken Maginnis, a Unionist politician, who has worked night and day to promote open liberal policies at reconciliation in his own community would be a legitimate target because he was a former member of the UDR. Former members of the RUC or the RUC Reserve who have left the force for over 12 years are still legitimate targets. However, that was not sufficient, they were not getting enough Protestants killed so they extended their campaign to any company that took contracts from the security forces and followed that up by including any person who worked for a company who had a contract with the security forces. They extended their target to cover all Protestants in Northern Ireland as “legitimate targetsâ€. In many cases in County Fermanagh those singled out for murder have been the only sons of Protestant farmers living in isolated farms along the Border. There can be little doubt that their strategy was to force whole sections of the Protestant community out of the area.
The Loyalists of County Fermanagh have shown great tolerance and forbearance in the face of appalling provocation. There have been little or no attacks on Catholics by Loyalist paramilitaries in the area since the early seventies. I appeal to them, and I am sure they will adhere to this, not to play into the hands of the Provos by way of retaliation for Sunday’s attack.
Billy I do indeed want my children to remember the evil act carried out that day.
We can remember without retaining hatred but these people slaughtered for the sake of some political ideology shall not be cast aside as if they did not matter.
They deserve to have a fitting memorial so that the whole world may know what took place that awful day.