On this day 24 years ago I was ridiculously happy.
I was on vacation in Mayo with my family.
We had taken a little place in Gaoth Sáile for a fortnight.
A seriously overloaded Volkswagen Polo had made it from Glasgow to the Wesht.
It was my son’s first time in the land of his grandfather.
I was taking him home.
In those pre-digital times, it was peace and quiet in a place I have always loved.
We fussed over the ancient range in the kitchen and the inquisitive toddler who was my first born provided the entertainment.
However, the World Cup was on and I was given permission to go and watch the match.
A buddy of mine was based up in Béal an Mhuirthead so I was excused family duties for a day.
I drove up through the summer sun and it wasn’t even raining!
That night in Lavelle’s in Belmullet was properly mental from the moment Ray Houghton’s looping shot dropped over Gianluca Pagliuca.
The global Irish village was affixed to any available TV screen screaming at our boys to “put him under!”
When Paul McGrath started with the back heel stuff it was a rapture at the crossroads.
I joke with buddies here that I really should go to meetings for people who drink tea.
Booze just isn’t my thing, but Jaysus I was drunk that night!
The Italian team were full of stars, they always are, but our lads had home advantage in the Giants Stadium.
I awoke, well I came out of an alcoholic coma on himself’s couch, to be greeted with an entirely different headache to the one that I fully deserved.
General Kitson’s dirty war had not taken the night off to watch the soccer like the rest of us.
Six innocent men in a quiet village most of us in Ireland had never heard of had been shot in the back.
The weapon that was used (VZ58 rifle) at the Heights bar in Loughinisland was part of a consignment that British spooks had arranged from Apartheid South Africa in 1988.
The Six men were watching a soccer match involving the Republic of Ireland.
That was enough for the killers who shouted “Fenian bastards” as they opened fire.
If any of this is new to you then this documentary is the full story.
The second report by the Police Ombudsman into the attack was quite clear about the evidence trail that led from the rifle used in the massacre:
“9.2 On the basis of the information available to me, I have concluded that police were aware of plans by the UVF, UDA and Ulster Resistance to import a significant consignment of weaponry to Northern Ireland in mid to late 1987 and knew about the arrival of the assault rifles, semiautomatic handguns, grenades and other weapons forming the shipment shortly after it was landed in Northern Ireland.”
“9.9 I have seen sufficient information to be satisfied that corrupt relationships existed between members of the Security Forces in South Down and the UVF Unit, to whom police attributed the murders at Loughinisland. The failure by police to investigate the veracity of intelligence that those responsible had been ‘warned’ by a police officer of their imminent arrest is inexcusable.
The most damning finding was in an earlier part of the report:
“5.78 Summary
5.79 The evidence of Police Officer 3 suggests that security forces in the Newcastle Sub-Division had been compromised, principally from the UDR but also from within the local RUC, through either direct involvement with loyalist paramilitaries, associations or sympathies.”
Allow me to translate dear reader:
Collusion is no illusion.
You can read the full report here.
The Loughinisland families are still waiting for justice, almost a quarter of a century later.
I hope that their wait will not be as long as the bereaved of Bloody Sunday or the Ballymurphy massacres.
The World Cup is meant to be a joyous coming together of the global village.
I’m delighted for Mexico.
Last night here in Donegal I kicked every ball as they repulsed the Germans in the second half.
I was making such a racket that herself thought that Ireland was playing!
It’s great when the little guy catches a break.
When the final whistle sounded I punched the air like a Mexican.
That unfortunate country could do with a day off from their troubles and have a party.
However, my thoughts are dragged back to that morning in Mayo when I learned that while I was partying the night before six decent innocent men were dying on the other side of this small island.
Eamon Byrne.
Barney Green.
Malcolm Jenkinson.
Dan McCreanor.
Patsy O’Hare.
Adrian Rogan.
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Good to see this state sponsored murder being remembered as should all the the other murders carried out by loyalists terror groups with the British government helping them all the way The Kitson experiment is a great read to show you how low they will go to penatrate the people (the laundry van never worked ) that’s a fact.
The laundry van that had men hiding in the roof and was riddled?
I’m thinking of the the story from Martin Dillons Dirty War
The Four Square Laundry.
It was a British Army intelligence operation.
The van had MRF SAS chaps hidden inside counting clothes on washing lines to gather information about households and othe intelligence bottom line the chaps inside got the fright of there life one day they can thank field commander Kitson for that apart from that it was a great article you wrote about innocent people being murderd at the hands of the British government keep it up???????????
The Lavells dominate the pub scene around that part of Mayo….we have Mickey’s and Ted’s on Achill as well as a few retails outlets too. Great people though steeped in the community.
My cousin in Belfast referred me to this documentary which was not initially available here in the states. Was finally able to view it via iTunes: It’s required viewing. 1994 was a particularly violent World Cup. Some will also recall the death of Colombian defender, Andres Escobar…who was shot by thugs in Colombia who reportedly taunted him about the OG he conceded during the tournament. His story is related in another excellent documentary, “The Two Escobars.” The film traces the links between the rise of Colombia’s national football program and the drug cartel that financed it.
I had a hazy memory of this but thanks to you I found that the documentary is available on Amazon Prime at the moment.
Desperately sad, all anyone wants is the truth.
When the team walks out into the stadium Jack Charlton turned around to the players and said “Cascarino,you ‘re the only Italian in here”
Desperately sobering night.
I remember it so well, While you were watching it in Lavelle’s bar (Now OD’s) I was up the street in Mangan’s bar, which is now sadly closed down in making way to flats/office’s. You were probably graced with the presence of the great Willie Jo as that is where he said he was going to be watching the match after he got some dinner in the western strands as he left Mangan’s earlier that evening.
We were working in Ayrshire at the time and were supposed to leave for Scotland the next day, I like you awoke with a sore head and the need of 20 minutes to actually work out what had happened the night before and where the hell I was! It turned out I was still in Belmullet at a friend’s house. So it was let’s get a few pints before we go. Back down the town to down to Paddens bar. I went up the street to call my brother to tell him just grab my case and call for me when it’s time to leave. He told me there will be no driving to Scotland today as there was Awful murder up in the north! So it was back down to the pub to watch the news of the tragedy, of course the topic of conversation was how much an act from cowards could destroy the life’s of so many.
May those men rest in peace and justice for their families be soon
Dreadful time Phil. That old saying what the dogs on the street knew comes to mind. In those days a certain Sir Geoffrey spent a fair bit of his time lauding the constabulary as being the world’s best. FFS they got rid of the getaway car.
Last weekend the Irish News reported that a named triggerman took a case against some media outlets. He failed. But he still walks freely unlike the six gentlemen who were enjoying a match, a drink and the craic we all do.
The law is an ass. Unfortunately many have, and still do, enjoy a life of riches afforded from the legal system. Justice should be free.
A chilling, sensitive and emotive piece Phil. While the acts of murder are never to be surpassed in all of this horror, the denial of justice to the bereaved compounds this dreadful wrong.
Truth lives to be heard. One by one, these sickening miscarriages of justice are being reconciled. If you sit by the river long enough………….
Went to Donegal with my wife, watched the game – massive high! Woke up and heard the news. Straight into the car and back home to Co Down to our kids. Can’t describe the sheer horror from such joy! It wasn’t anger, initially – that feeling had no words worthy enough to express how we felt.
I would never know anything about this Phil if you didn’t bring it to my attention. Thanks again for your first class reporting and information.
Good wee read that Phil,liked the ‘summer sunshine and it wasn’t even raining’ jape.
And I hope you don’t mind I copied the image and put it up on Twitter gave you FULL recognition,hopefully more hits too.Again,I knew nothing of that before you penned/typed the article,your still enlightening me with history,not to mention my vocabulary,thanks for All that.
Great stuff,I’m away to watch the documentary noo.HH?
Another poignant piece Phil , six lives shortened for no good reason ,six families bereaved.
Is there anything more egregious than establishment collusion for the purposes of murdering innocent people and the subsequent attempts to cover them up.
Premeditated slaughter by the very people that are drawing a salary to supposedly prevent it.
In varying lesser degrees its still there ,by the same establishment bodies , in the daily discrimination of RC,s and those of Irish descent in this best wee country in the world.
Hear hear John,I totally agree with your sentiments.
I now live in the south of England and this is home for me now,I’m glad my son hasn’t grown up in the West of Scotland ???????.
I’m patriotic and no mistake,but the sectarianism and all that goes with it has no place in a modern progressive society.Nothing will change until their focal point is made to be seen to toe the line and follow the rules and regs of the game just like every other team.Society in Scotland has to change but,it will be very slow and decency will have to be fought for on a daily basis.
For any of the above to happen I truly believe a new governing body is a must.
HH☮️