The McGurks Bar Massacre
Peoples Stories
East Belfast Resident
I was 15 years old at the time of these murders but I still remember my parents talking about it. We are Protestants living in east Belfast and I remember well my father saying that he was ashamed to be a Protestant. My brothers and sisters were brought up to respect people, no matter their religion. Even 35 years on I feel thoroughly ashamed of what happened that night and I hope that the families know that there were many protestants who at the time were sickened by the bombing.
I sincerely hope that the families get justice and that the evil, cowardly thugs who carried this out are brought to book for their crimes. That also goes for the people who tried to cover it up.
Mr. J Molloy, Belfast, Ireland
To those who lost relatives that terrible night,
I can recall that evening very clearly. I was visiting my uncle Patrick Foots (RIP) who lived in Unity Flats at the corner of Unity Street. He always insisted on leaving me around to get a taxi or bus beside Liam Cray's shop in Clifton Street.
As we walked towards Clifton Street the explosion went off ahead of us in North Queen Street, we both ran across into North Queen Street and made our way to the scene as people ran to join us, it was awful to see and quite unbelievable, along with a load of young men about my age we clambered on top of what was a smouldering pile of rubble and black dust.
At that time there was no soldiers or police at the scene but I remember some elderly man climbed up to where we were standing. He seemed to know the layout of the building and told us to start digging with out bare hands in a particular spot.
I could not believe it but soon someone shouted he had hold of somebody's hair and we all dug around him holding the hair and shortly dragged a man out. An ambulance arrived and took him away. I never ever knew if he survived or not and after that I never saw anyone else being dug out. In fact, when I left the scene a digger with a shovel had arrived as it was felt there was no more hope.
I heard shooting coming from the direction of the bottom of the New Lodge towards Tigers Bay and I think a soldier was killed during this (Major Jeremy Snow died on the 8th December due to injuries sustained shortly after the McGurk's Bar Massacre).
I did not realise during all of this that the bar was McGurk's as I knew Paddy McGurk quite well. In fact he was the Vice President of our Gaelic Athletic Club, the Ardoyne Kickhams.
In closing I just felt the need to say I have never forgotten that evening and always remember everyone who died in my prayers.
Mr. Joe Lavery, Belfast, Ireland
From Pat Irvine, the youngest child of Kitty.
From my heart I thank you.
It's hard some days to remember just the simple things a mother and daughter shared those many years ago. It is sometimes hard to remember her face and voice.
The memory that will never leave me is the memory of death and destruction. The hill of death through which a mass of people clawed their way to save life.
Watching and listening to the screams ,to the shouts of "I think I've found one!", "Over here!", "There's another one!". Little did I know that one was my father.
Walking back up to the house I saw people coming from my home. When I arrived at the door my granny told me to come in. "Granny, where's my mummy and daddy? I can't find them. Father Blaney told me to come home".
I had not known at that time about my parents. Father Blaney did. My uncle and I were on our way down to the scene when one of the neighbours called him over. He turned to me and told me to go back home. Standing in the kitchen I heard trough the hum of voices "God help those wee children losing their mother like that. What about Johnny? Is he alright?"
The rest of the evening is just a blur of people coming and going, looking at my brother and me with pity. Fourteen years of age looking at everyone around me wanting to scream, to wake up from this horrible nightmare, a nightmare that the families of those murdered have continued to live for over 35 years. A nightmare that will come to an end with the truth.
Again, from my heart, I thank you and I thank the people of the New Lodge for saving my father and the other survivors of that terrible night. I thank our neighbours for all that they did for my family.
I thank you for all your kind words.
Pat Irvine, daughter of Kitty
Growing up in Australia
I never had to endure such atrocities and could not understand the struggle. After reading of this and hearing numerous other incidents perpetrated, at least in part, by the government upon its citizens, anger and sadness overwhelm me. I cannot imagine the pain and betrayal felt by the victims and their families.
The fact that you go about your daily lives in a manner of goodwill and peaceably seek the truth is a testament not only to yourselves but to the Irish spirit.
I wish you all the luck in the world in the hope that justice prevails, the victims names are cleared and the people involved at every stage are brought to task.
Clint Jury, Copacabana, Australia
Newlodge Tourist
On my many trips to the New Lodge I have passed the fitting monument at the site of this horrific act giving me cause to reflect.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, may they rest in peace.
God bless,
Greg Clark New Jersey, USA
From Mr. Michael Connarty, Labour M.P. and Nephew of Philip Garry
I hope to come over to visit my aunt who still lives in Belfast some time when I can draw breath.
I would obviously pursue my enquiry with the authorities when I am over.
The victims and the families of the murdered at McGurk's Bar are not forgotten.
Best Wishes,
Michael Connarty MP, Linlithgow and East Falkirk, Scotland.
Content Source
The Stories above have been taken from a website dedicated to the McGurks Bar Massacre.
The Website is: www.themcgurksbarmassacre.com