The Troubles in Ballymena

The Northern Irish Troubles resulted in 11 deaths in or near the County Antrim town of Ballymena. Eight people were killed by various loyalist groups, and three by the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Two of the IRA's victims were members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary; all other victims were civilians except for an Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) member who was killed by other loyalists during a dispute within the UVF. Of the eleven victims, six were Protestant and five Catholic. One of the deaths was in the village of Ahoghill, so for more information see the topic on the troubles in Ahoghill. (This is why 10 deaths are shown on here and not 11).

Incidents in Ballymena during the Troubles resulting in fatalities:

1973

• 15 September 1973 - Maurice Spence (25), a Protestant Civilian, was shot and killed by a non-specific loyalist group while in his car in Glenwherry near Ballymena.

1974

• 24 May 1974 - Sean Byrne (54)and his brother Brendan Byrne (45), both Catholic Civilians, were shot and killed by a non-specific loyalist group at Seans bar in The Wayside Halt, Tannaghmore, near Ballymena, County Antrim for appearing to stay open during the Ulster Workers' Council Strike. The local Ulster Defence Association (UDA) agreed on a joint operation with the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) to close Catholic pubs around Ballymena. Thirty men set off in minibuses on a drunken rampage, wrecking three pubs in Ballymena before coming to The Wayside Halt. Both brothers' wives and sister were in the house when the men arrived. The women escaped out of a window and hid in an outbuilding. Seven of Sean's eight children were in the sitting room upstairs. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), who had followed the minibus convoy from Ballymena, eventually arrived at the pub (having delayed for a while before reaching the pub by stopping in a lay-by). All thirty men were detained. Two were subsequently jailed for life although they were released after 7 years.

1976

• 09 October 1976 - Yvonne Dunlop (26), a Protestant Civilian, was killed by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during an incendiary bomb attack on her shop, Alley Katz Boutique, Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim.
• 09 October 1976 - Sean McCrystal (41), a Catholic Civilian, was killed by a Non-specific loyalist group and was found beaten to death and on fire, in entry between Bridge Street and Prospect Place, Ballymena, County Antrim.

1978

• 02 August 1978 - John Lamont (21), a Protestant member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) was shot and killed by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) from a passing car while on foot patrol, George street, Ballymena, County Antrim.

1983

• 24 November 1983 - James Galway (33), a Protestant Civilian, was found shot dead by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) on a building site in Broughshane, near Ballymena, County Antrim.

1987

• 26 July 1987 - Norman Kennedy (41), a Protestant off duty member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) was shot and killed by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) while at his home in Murob Park, Ballymena, County Antrim.

1994

• 27 January 1994 - Cormac McDermott (31), a Catholic Civilian was shot and killed by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) while at his home in Fisherwick Gardens, Ballymena, County Antrim.

1996

• 21 March 1996 - Thomas Sheppard (41), a Protestant member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) was shot and killed by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) while in Towers Tavern, Ballee, Ballymena, County Antrim. He was killed because of an internal Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) dispute.

See Also

• The Troubles in Ahoghill
• UDA South East Antrim Brigade

References

• NI Conflict Archive on the Internet