On the 31st July 1975, a group of British terrorists (UVF) detonated a bomb and massacred one of Irelands most popular Cabernet bands at the time, the Miami Showband. (1200×800)
On the 31st July 1975, a group of British terrorists (UVF) detonated a bomb and massacred one of Irelands most popular Cabernet bands at the time, the Miami Showband. (1200×800)
On the 31st July 1975, the Miami Showband, one of Ireland most popular bands at the time, were on their way home to Dublin after performing in Banbridge. They were stopped at what appeared to be a British Army checkpoint, with men in British Army Uniforms ordering them to line up on the road.
All of the gunmen in uniforms were actually members of the UVF, a group of loyalist terrorists. 4 of the members were also serving members of the UDR, a regiment in the British Army. While the members of the Miami Showband were occupied on the side of the road with most of the gunmen, 2 of the UVF men tried to sneak a bomb under the Minibus the Showband was travelling in.
However, the bomb would explode prematurely, killing both of the UVF members trying to plant it. Seeing the carnage, the remaining UVF men opened fire on the dazed band members who had all been blown off their feet by the explosion, killing three on the spot and wounding two. The UVF were hoping the Showband would unknowingly carry the bomb into the Republic of Ireland, with blame falling on a premature IRA explosion and embarrassment for the Irish government. That did not go to plan.
Those responsible for this attack belonged to the infamous glenanne gang, a group of loyalist militants, RUC officers and serving UDR members, responsible for the deaths of around 120 Irish catholics. There are also allegations of British collusion, according to former Captain Freyd Holroyd, the killings were organised by British Intelligence officer Robert Nairac, who met his own grim fate at the hands of the IRA in 1977. In addition, the two surviving band members recall seeing and hearing a British Army officer with an English accent who immediately took charge upon arrival, aiding the statement given by Captain Holroyd.
The massacre shook the music scene all over Ireland, especially in the North, as it had always been an area that brought catholics and Protestants together, once again proving nothing was off limits.
moreboredthanyouare on
More than likely that a British officer was involved. Defies comprehension that we can espouse human rights after the way we continued to act up until the good Friday agreement. Shameful
Die_Steiner on
I take it calling the IRA terrorists in that one recent post ticked you off lol
SausageMcWonderpants on
My dad knew a few of them, the showbands went around the country every weekend, playing in every town.
Did no harm to anyone, some very talented musicians too.
UVF and UDA are arseholes, PIRA and INLA were arseholes too.
Alarmed-Snow6985 on
The British army were totally involved in this.
Adam Clayton the U2 bassist did a great documentary on the showband and and spoke to a survivor.
Thank God those days are behind us.
6 Comments
On the 31st July 1975, the Miami Showband, one of Ireland most popular bands at the time, were on their way home to Dublin after performing in Banbridge. They were stopped at what appeared to be a British Army checkpoint, with men in British Army Uniforms ordering them to line up on the road.
All of the gunmen in uniforms were actually members of the UVF, a group of loyalist terrorists. 4 of the members were also serving members of the UDR, a regiment in the British Army. While the members of the Miami Showband were occupied on the side of the road with most of the gunmen, 2 of the UVF men tried to sneak a bomb under the Minibus the Showband was travelling in.
However, the bomb would explode prematurely, killing both of the UVF members trying to plant it. Seeing the carnage, the remaining UVF men opened fire on the dazed band members who had all been blown off their feet by the explosion, killing three on the spot and wounding two. The UVF were hoping the Showband would unknowingly carry the bomb into the Republic of Ireland, with blame falling on a premature IRA explosion and embarrassment for the Irish government. That did not go to plan.
Those responsible for this attack belonged to the infamous glenanne gang, a group of loyalist militants, RUC officers and serving UDR members, responsible for the deaths of around 120 Irish catholics. There are also allegations of British collusion, according to former Captain Freyd Holroyd, the killings were organised by British Intelligence officer Robert Nairac, who met his own grim fate at the hands of the IRA in 1977. In addition, the two surviving band members recall seeing and hearing a British Army officer with an English accent who immediately took charge upon arrival, aiding the statement given by Captain Holroyd.
The massacre shook the music scene all over Ireland, especially in the North, as it had always been an area that brought catholics and Protestants together, once again proving nothing was off limits.
More than likely that a British officer was involved. Defies comprehension that we can espouse human rights after the way we continued to act up until the good Friday agreement. Shameful
I take it calling the IRA terrorists in that one recent post ticked you off lol
My dad knew a few of them, the showbands went around the country every weekend, playing in every town.
Did no harm to anyone, some very talented musicians too.
UVF and UDA are arseholes, PIRA and INLA were arseholes too.
The British army were totally involved in this.
Adam Clayton the U2 bassist did a great documentary on the showband and and spoke to a survivor.
Thank God those days are behind us.
Cringe post by an American Plastic Paddy