Loughall: 25th Anniversary

[Saoirse go Deo]

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Loughgall Martyrs.

On 8th May 1987 eight volunteers of Óglaigh na hÉireann and a civilian lost their lives in an SAS ambush outside Loughgall RUC barracks in County Armagh.

The eight Volunteers were all from the East Tyrone Brigade, Óglaigh na hÉireann.

Óglach Declan Arthurs, Óglach Seamus Donnelly, Óglach Tony Gormley, Óglach Eugene Kelly, Óglach Patrick Kelly, Óglach Jim Lynagh, Óglach Padraig McKearney and Óglach Gerard O' Callaghan were all killed in the ambush.

Anthony Hughes and his brother Oliver were also attacked by the SAS. Anthony was assassinated when the SAS riddled their car with a hail of bullets and by some miracle Oliver managed to survive despite being refused medical treatment for a while.

The Loughgall ambush was part of a deliberate shoot-to-kill policy by the British.

In 2001 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the eight volunteers had had their human rights violated by the failure of the British government to conduct a proper investigation into the circumstances of their deaths.

The Tyrone Sinn Féin Commemoration Committee have organised a series of commemorative events running from Saturday 5th May – Tuesday 8th May.

The specific details and times of the Loughgall 25th anniversary events are as follows:

Saturday - 5th May:

8:00am: Siúlóid na Saoirse - Walk of Freedom. Assemble Aughabrack. Registration between 8am -10am.

Monday - 7th May:

8:00pm: Commemorative Lecture: 'From Clonmult to Loughgall - The IRA's war against the British army in Ireland'. Delivered by Arnie O'Connell, Cork and Sean Hughes' South Armagh

Tuesday - 8th May:

7:00pm: Commemoration in memory of the Loughgall Martyrs at Cappagh Republican Monument followed by Anniversary Mass at 8pm in Galbally organised by the families.

Fáilte roimh gach duine

http://www.facebook.com/loughgallmartyrs?sk=info

[Saoirse go Deo]

25th anniversary is tomorrow.

RIP

[2wheels]

remember it well, just a continuation of shoot to kill policy from the UK government, I knew Jim Lynagh fairly well and attended his funeral. One thing I would say and I mean no offence....Lynagh would be the first to have said " he who lives by the sword,may die by it" so while tragic, it was war and war has tragic consequences. Lets be thankful its "over"