[101], A Netflix documentary titled ReMastered: The Miami Showband Massacre was released 22 March 2019, highlighting the efforts of Steve Travers to track down who authorized the attack, for what purposes, and to get an admission of culpability.[102][103]. Five people were killed, including three members of The Miami Showband, who were then one of Ireland's most popular cabaret bands. Director Stuart Sender Writers Jeff Zimbalist Michael Zimbalist Stars Stephen Travers Bertie Ahern He was released in 1998. The Miami Showband massacre in 1975, had a devastating effect on the showband and live music scene. [30] The UVF's plan was that the bomb would explode once the minibus had reached Newry, killing all on board. [99], The findings noted in the report confirmed Mid-Ulster UVF leader Robin Jackson's involvement and identified him as an RUC Special Branch agent. [4] Despite the heavy gunfire, Tony Geraghty and Fran O'Toole attempted to carry a severely injured Stephen Travers to safety, but were unable to move him far. Jane Carter says late son received many threats prior to his death. [25] As McCoy rolled down the window and produced his driving licence, gunmen came up to the minibus and one of them said in a Northern Irish accent, "Goodnight, fellas. [51] An independent panel of inquiry commissioned by the Pat Finucane Centre has established that among the weapons actually used in the killings were two Sterling submachine guns and a 9mm Luger pistol serial no. Survivors Stephen Travers and Des McAlea were both present at the unveiling, as was the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, who made a tribute. The scene of the Miami Showband Killings on the A1 road at Buskhill in County Down, Northern Ireland, 31st July 1975. The Provisional IRA carried out the bombing of two pubs in the English city of Birmingham the following November, resulting in 21 deaths. Just after the arrival of this mysterious soldier, McCoy nudged Travers, who was standing beside him, and reassured him by saying "Don't worry Stephen, this is British Army". The Historical Enquiries Team (HET), which was set up to investigate the more controversial Troubles-related deaths, released its report on the Miami Showband killings to the victims' families in December 2011. Griffin goes on to add that the bogus checkpoint was set up not only to plant the bomb on board the van but to ensure the presence of McCoy which would have been confirmed when he handed over his driving licence to the gunmen. He was unimpressed by the UVF men he met in the loyalist stronghold. [36] Dillon opined that another reason the UVF decided to target the Miami Showband was because Irish nationalists held them in high regard; to attack the band was to strike the nationalists indirectly. [36], Des McAlea and Stephen Travers heard two of the gunmen rummaging in the back of the minibus, where they both kept their respective instruments. Mit unserem einfachen Abonnement erhalten Sie Zugriff auf die besten Inhalte von Getty Images. 14 December 2011. 8 in the Irish charts. Sometimes the showbands played traditional Irish music at their performances. The Luger was destroyed by the RUC on 28 August 1978. [19][25][26] During "The Troubles" it was normal for the British Army to set up checkpoints at any time. Five people were killed, including three members of The Miami Showband, who were one of Ireland's most popular cabaret bands. Unlike Jackson, Somerville was arrested in the wake of the Miami atrocity, but he refused to make a statement and was released without charge. At least four of the gunmen were soldiers from the British Army's Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR), and all were members of the UVF. crime scene photos 1,913 Vintage Crime Scene Premium High Res Photos Browse 1,913 vintage crime scene stock photos and images available, or search for crime scene photos to find more great stock photos and pictures. On October 23, 1975, Somerville and Jackson led a UVF team in the savage murders of Peter McKearney (63) and his wife Jane (58) at their home near the Moy. He also took part in fatal bomb attacks at Kay's Tavern in Dundalk and Donnelly's Bar at Silverbridge, south Armagh. The plaque describes them as having been "killed in action". [34] All the gunmen were members of the UVF's Mid-Ulster Brigade and had been lying in wait to ambush the band, having set up the checkpoint just minutes before. [5] At Christmas 1974 the IRA declared a ceasefire, which theoretically lasted throughout most of 1975. Two of the gunmen, both soldiers, died when a time bomb they were hiding on the minibus exploded prematurely. The scene of The Miami Showband Massacre Griffin suggests that McCoy, who originally came from Caledon, County Tyrone, and had strong UDR and Orange Order family connections, was possibly approached at some stage by Jackson with a view of securing his help in carrying out UVF attacks in the Irish Republic. They asked him if he recognised it or could he identify it. Although not a member of any loyalist paramilitary group,[26] he was a close friend of Harris Boyle and the two were often seen together. At 2.30am, their Volkswagen minibus was stopped at a bogus military checkpoint, where gunmen in British Army uniforms ordered the band members to line up by the roadside. [37] They had hoped to embarrass the Government of Ireland, as well as to draw attention to its level of control of the border. [44], McDowell's statement of admission was published in David McKittrick's book Lost Lives:[44]. They were prepared to travel anywhere in Ireland to perform for their fans. [59] Two days later, Portadown disc jockey Norman "Mooch" Kerr, aged 28,[60] was shot dead by the IRA as he packed up his equipment after a show at the Camrick Bar in Armagh. Aaron Carter 's mother believes he was the victim of a crime, not an overdose -- so, she's made the tough decision to let the . Bei kommerzieller Verwendung sowie fr verkaufsfrdernde Zwecke kontaktieren Sie bitte Ihr. McCoy's words, therefore, were taken seriously by the other band members, and anything he said was considered to be accurate. [35], On 22 January 1976, a second UDR soldier, Sergeant James Roderick Shane McDowell (aged 29, an optical worker, also from Lurgan) was arrested and charged with the Miami killings. He . In the ensuing confusion the UVF men opened fire on the band, killing three and wounding two. Others had already been convicted for the Miami attack and they wanted John to stay in the UVF, but to work for them," said a former loyalist prisoner who served time in prison with Somerville. [30][39], When the device was tilted on its side,[30] clumsy soldering on the clock used as a timer caused the bomb to explode prematurely, blowing the minibus apart and killing UVF men Harris Boyle (aged 22, a telephone wireman from Portadown) and Wesley Somerville (aged 34, a textile worker from Moygashel) instantly. Major Boyle ordered his patrol to apprehend the occupants for questioning. Its basic repertoire included cover versions of pop songs that were currently in the charts, and standard dance numbers. But along with his friend Jackson, he helped build the UVF in mid-Ulster. The Miami Showband killings (also called the Miami Showband Massacre) was an attack by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a loyalist paramilitary group, on 31 July 1975. It was found 100 yards (91m) from the site with a "UVF Portadown" tattoo on it. Ashford had been asked to leave the band in 1973, for complaining that performing in Northern Ireland put their lives at risk. [46] Some time after the attack, RUC officers questioned Stephen Travers at Dublin Castle. ", And he insisted: "The Lord has forgiven me.". The music ranged from rock and country and western to Dixieland jazz. UVF serial killer John Somerville told how detectives repeatedly tried to persuade him to become Special Branch tout and avoid jail, No remorse: Miami Showband killer John Somerville. Among the large crowd he spotted Billy McCaughey, a former police sergeant and convicted killer who had named his UVF accomplices to investigating detectives. [21] He was replaced by Johnny Brown, who in turn was replaced by Dave Monks until Stephen Travers eventually became the band's permanent bass player. "They also hoped he would one day take over the leadership of the organisation in mid-Ulster when Robin 'The Jackal' Jackson either stood down or was executed.". Hier knnen Sie Inhalte sammeln, auswhlen und Anmerkungen zu Ihren Dateien hinterlegen. Two days before, Jackson and Somerville had carried out a bomb and gun attack at McGleenan's pub in Armagh, killing its owner Jack McGleenan and customers Patrick Hughes and Thomas Morris. A child of Northern Ireland's Troubles recalls that fateful night when The Miami Showband was ambushed by the Ulster Volunteer Force on this day in 1975. Although this information was passed on to RUC headquarters, nothing was done about it. [18] More uniformed men appeared from out of the darkness, their guns pointed at the minibus. His leadership was endorsed by the UVF's leader Gusty Spence. The Historical Enquiries Team investigated the killings and released their report to the victims' families in December 2011. The incident had an adverse effect on the Irish showband scene, with many of the bands afraid to play in Northern Ireland. But as the death toll mounted, so did Somerville's drinking. They also discovered a stolen white Ford Escort registration number 4933 LZ,[43] which had been left behind by the gunmen, along with two guns, ammunition, green UDR berets and a pair of glasses later traced to James McDowell, the gunman who had allegedly ordered the shootings. Het ontwerp van Getty Images is een handelsmerk van Getty Images. 3/2/2023 1:00 AM PT. UVF killer Wesley Somerville who died in the attack. [5], UK Home Secretary Roy Jenkins introduced the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which gave the government unprecedented powers against the liberty of individuals in the United Kingdom in peacetime. The scene of the Miami Showband massacre Somerville would never. [6], In early 1975, Merlyn Rees set up elections for the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention at which all of Northern Ireland's politicians would plan their way forward. [55] Robin Jackson died of cancer on 30 May 1998, aged 49. It was a forgiveness that few of the relatives of his victims were willing to give. Forensic photography, or the practice of taking photos at the scene of a crime, has been around for over a century. View On One Page Photo 22 of 51 ADVERTISEMENT () Start Slideshow . [5] Their fears were slightly grounded in fact, as the MI6 officer Michael Oatley was involved in negotiations with a member of the IRA Army Council, during which "structures of disengagement" from Ireland were discussed. No one coerced me. Before adjourning the Alex Murdaugh case today, Judge Clifford Newman warned against sharing graphic autopsy photos of Maggie and Paul's bodies that were accidentally shown during the trial.. On 15 October 1976, Crozier and McDowell both received life sentences for the Miami Showband murders. Those responsible for the attack belonged to the Glenanne gang, a secret alliance of loyalist militants, Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) police officers and UDR soldiers. The Miami Showband's surviving members Des Lee, Ray Miller and Stephen Travers Credit . Five members of the Dublin-based band were travelling home after a performance at the Castle Ballroom in Banbridge, County Down, on Thursday 31 July 1975. According to RT, "Their families were in deep mourning and Ireland mourned with them". He also survived by remaining silent, pretending he was dead. "Robin Jackson and John Somerville had been very close friends since joining the Mid-Ulster UVF. The Gruesome Death Scene Launch Gallery. [90] The encounter took place inside Hudson's church, All Souls Belfast. Millionen hochwertiger Bilder, Videos und Musiktracks warten auf Sie. The attack was carried out by loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and took place while the group, a popular cabaret band, were travelling home to Dublin after a performance. "The cops showed John a bag containing a human arm with a Mid-Ulster UVF tattoo on it. In a report published in the Sunday Mirror in 1999, Colin Wills called the Miami Showband attack "one of the worst atrocities in the 30-year history of the Troubles". Can you step out of the van for a few minutes and we'll just do a check". Journalist Emily O'Reilly noted in the Sunday Tribune that none of the three men convicted of the massacre ever implicated Nairac in the attack or accused him of causing Boyle's death. When asked to comment about the report, Des McAlea replied: "It's been a long time but we've got justice at last". [18][22] Meanwhile, two other gunmen at the front of the minibus were placing the briefcase containing the bomb under the driver's seat. Miami showband massacre Stock Photos and Images (9) See miami showband massacre stock video clips RF TTNAG4 - A plaque in Parnell Square, Dublin, Ireland to those who died in what became known as the Miami Showband Massacre in 1975 at Buskhill, Newry. [37][38] This might have resulted in the Irish authorities enforcing tighter controls over the border, thus restricting IRA operations. Almost his entire head was destroyed. The band's road manager, Brian Maguire, had already gone ahead a few minutes earlier in the equipment van. Chris Hudson, a former intermediary between the government of Ireland and the UVF, whose role was crucial to the Northern Ireland peace process. Laat uw merk op authentieke wijze groeien door uw merkcontent te delen met de makers van het internet. The patrol later recovered two Armalite rifles and a pistol. Ray Millar, the band's drummer, was not with them as he had chosen to go to his home town of Antrim to spend the night with his parents. Somerville walked over to McCaughey saying: "Get back on the bus. it is to say the least highly dubious, if not absurd to conclude from such superficial factors that Nairac was present at the Miami murders. He then drove to a lay-by on the Newry-Banbridge dual carriageway and met up with another five men, who were all wearing British Army uniforms. [19] The UVF maintains regular border patrols due to the continued activity of the Provisional IRA. The night after the Miami Showband massacre, gunmen shot a minibus near Gilford. It comprised elements of the British security forces who, together with the UVF, carried out sectarian killings in the Mid-Ulster/County Armagh area. [65] Earlier that night, three RUC officers in an unmarked car had been stopped at a checkpoint but allowed through. The scene of the Miami Showband Killings on the A1 road at Buskhill in County Down, Northern Ireland, 31st July 1975. He served in C Company, 11th Battalion UDR. [58] He was later shot dead in Portadown on 25 January 1976, allegedly by Jackson for having informed the RUC about Thomas Crozier's participation in the attack. In January 2015, he was found dead in his Shankill Road flat. "A hundred of your men haven't done what I've done," he told a UVF leader. And after stopping GAA fans 22-year-old Colm McCartney and 32-year-old John Farmer, they shot them dead. [53] The three convicted UVF men, although admitting to having been at the scene, denied having shot anyone. The UVF man, who identified himself only as "the Craftsman", apologised to Travers for the attack, and explained that the UVF gunmen shot the band because they "had panicked" that night. [8] The brigade was described by author Don Mullan as one of the most ruthless units operating in the 1970s. The Story With thanks to Jimmy Harte, Anto Long and Caroline Allen Dickie's Miami (1962-1972) Few bands in Ireland have had as prolific, and tragic, a history as the Miami. [79] and that none of the perpetrators ever offered him an apology. "Billy Mac") took over as the group's frontman when the Simon brothers quit the band. O'Toole and McCoy were both married; each had two children. It has been suggested that the bomb was meant to explode en route, so that the victim band members would appear to be Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb-smugglers and stricter security measures would be established at the border. [22][91] It was revealed in Peter Taylor's book Loyalists that "the Craftsman" had been instrumental in bringing about the 1994 Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) ceasefire. They were both present when the Miami Showband bomb exploded, but the shootings which followed seconds later - including the slaughter of Fran O'Toole - were mainly the work of John Somerville. Driven by a personal tragedy, a pianist-turned-lawyer navigates the complex world of divorce fighting for his clients to win by any means necessary. Survivors and relatives of those murdered in the Miami Showband massacre are to receive nearly 1.5m (1.75m) in total damages to settle claims over . Jackson was never charged with the Miami atrocity. A long battle for justice for three members of a popular Irish music group, Miami Showband, who were murdered during The Troubles in Northern Ireland received a huge boost this week with. RM G4PYFC - Miami Showband massacre RM EC8F8C - London, UK. It had been set up in Lurgan in 1972 by part-time Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) sergeant and permanent staff instructor Billy Hanna, who made himself commander of the brigade. Three band members were shot dead by loyalist gunmen. Lightly built and standing less than 5ft 7in, he wasn't a stereotypical loyalist killer. [72][73] Surviving band members Stephen Travers and Des McAlea told police and later testified in court that a British Army officer with a "crisp, clipped English accent" oversaw the attack, the implication being that this was Nairac. Site of the massacre; a commemorative plaque shows where the band's minibus was parked in the lay-by.