The Troubles in Portadown
Encyclopedia
This article recounts the violence and other effects related to The Troubles
in Portadown
, County Armagh
, Northern Ireland
. Much of it has been related to the Drumcree parade dispute
.
The town is the site of an annual parade in July by an ex-serviceman's lodge of the Orange Order
, from St Mark's Church in the town centre, where participants lay wreaths at the war memorial. Participants then marched to Drumcree Church
through the predominately nationalist
Obins Street (also known as the "Tunnel" area because of an underground walkway connecting it to a higher level at the bottom of Fowler's Entry/Mary Street/John Street). There are records of violent attacks on the Catholics in this area by members and supporters of the 'Orange boys' (later the Orange Order) dating as far back as June - July 1795. In the 1970s and 1980s residents of the Obins Street area objected to the Orange marches, claiming they were triumphalist and arguing that they marked them as being second-class citizens. A local anthropologist has argued that the Orange parades perpetuate sectarian discrimination and violence against Catholics while also denying them their basic human rights
The Orange 'church parade' through Obins Street was rerouted in the mid-1980s through the then lesser populated but nearby area of Garvaghy Road. In the interim fresh housing stock built on the former McCready's Rose fields on the Garvaghy Road was occupied by a cross-section of families from both persuasions but slum clearance in Obins Street meant that many of the Catholic residents were relocated to the new housing and following sectarian intimidation
between both communities in various estates in the town, the Garvaghy Road estates became almost 100% Catholic.
The parade was one of three which had been staged by the Orange Order to march through the Tunnel and was the scene of rioting from as early as 1873. In the modern troubles this flashpoint became the source of confrontation between the Catholics of the Tunnel area and Protestants from neighbouring Edgarstown, often exacerbated by men from other areas within the town reinforcing the numbers on either side. On several occasions in the 1970s this resulted in gun battles between the Royal Ulster Constabulary
and locals. See 'Two Hundred Years in the Orange Citadel' at http://orangecitadel.blogspot.com/
During the late 1960s and up to the mid-1970s the Edgarstown and Obins Street areas were separated only by a wasteland which had formerly been railway lines and the railway marshalling and repair facility which had dominated the area for many years. Civil engineering projects such as new roads and housing eventually covered this area but in the interim it became a venue for civil disturbance between the rival factions of the two areas, who would clash on the site.
(UDA) and the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF). A separate splinter group was later formed out of the Mid-Ulster UVF, the leader of which was Billy Wright
(known by the press as "King Rat"), who was resident in the Rectory Park Estate prior to his period of imprisonment at HMP Maze during which he was assassinated. The Loyalist Volunteer Force
(LVF) was formed in 1996; due to the views held by Wright, his old counterparts in the UVF placed a death threat on his head. This view towards him was also held by the mainstream UDA and UFF. The only allies Wright and the LVF had, was the support of a small section of the UFF based on the Shankill Road in Belfast. Johnny Adair
was the leader of C Company UFF, part of the West Belfast Brigade
. Both these groups lost their support quickly and were almost defunct by 2007. Wright who was shot dead by the INLA in December 1997 was later replaced by his sidekick Mark "Swinger" Fulton
, who later committed suicide in prison. The feud between the UVF and LVF lasted for many years after Wright's killing, with the result of many innocent people such as Protestant teenagers Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine becoming victims. There were also high profile members of the UVF that suffered, such as the commander at the time: Richard Jameson
. Loyalists ran a social club in the former Summerson's Cinema in Bridge Street for several years during the early part of the Troubles, before it was closed down by the police.
(RUC) initially had two stations in the town; one at the "Tunnel" entrance to Obins Street and the other at Edward Street. The former closed in the 1950s and the latter remained the main centre of police operations throughout the Troubles but is now reduced to part time as the police presence has been transferred to the Mahon Road complex.
, (The North Irish Militia). Although this did house small numbers of troops in the early part of the Troubles the main military presence was from units based outside Portadown, such as Kitchen Hill Barracks in Lurgan. The formation of the 11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
saw a small barracks being built on the Southern edge of town at Mahon Road on a greenfield site. This was dubbed "Fort Mahon" by the Ulster Defence Regiment
(UDR). It housed HQ Company, A Company (Tandragee) and E Company (Portadown) - formerly the Lurgan/Portadown Company of 2 UDR. As paramilitary activity in the town increased accommodation was increased at Fort Mahon to include, firstly, a roulemont unit of regular soldiers, mostly Royal Artillery units in battery
strength. In the mid 1970s 3 Infantry Brigade was relocated from Lurgan to Portadown and in the late 1970s RUC DMSU & HMSU units were also based there. When the UDR increased in strength a full company of permanent cadre (A Company) was then formed at what was then known as Mahon Road Barracks. In the mid 1980s married quarters were built on the dge of the barracks for the families of regular soldiers attached to the Brigade HQ. Since the end of Operation Banner
the military have withdrawn from the complex and the Police Service of Northern Ireland
(PSNI) have taken over the complex to relieve the pressure of working from the cramped conditions of the Edward Street RUC Station. The married quarters have been sold off to the public.
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in Portadown
Portadown
Portadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
, County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Much of it has been related to the Drumcree parade dispute
Drumcree conflict
The Drumcree conflict or Drumcree standoff is an ongoing dispute over a yearly parade in the town of Portadown, Northern Ireland. The dispute is between the Orange Order and local residents. The residents are currently represented by the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition ; before 1995 they were...
.
Overview
Portadown is located in an area known during the troubles as the "murder triangle" because of the high number of killings carried out by paramilitary organisations.The town is the site of an annual parade in July by an ex-serviceman's lodge of the Orange Order
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
, from St Mark's Church in the town centre, where participants lay wreaths at the war memorial. Participants then marched to Drumcree Church
Drumcree Church
Drumcree Parish Church, officially The Church of the Ascension, is the parish church of Drumcree Church of Ireland parish. The church is within the townland of Drumcree, roughly 1.5 miles to the northeast of Portadown, County Armagh....
through the predominately nationalist
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
Obins Street (also known as the "Tunnel" area because of an underground walkway connecting it to a higher level at the bottom of Fowler's Entry/Mary Street/John Street). There are records of violent attacks on the Catholics in this area by members and supporters of the 'Orange boys' (later the Orange Order) dating as far back as June - July 1795. In the 1970s and 1980s residents of the Obins Street area objected to the Orange marches, claiming they were triumphalist and arguing that they marked them as being second-class citizens. A local anthropologist has argued that the Orange parades perpetuate sectarian discrimination and violence against Catholics while also denying them their basic human rights
The Orange 'church parade' through Obins Street was rerouted in the mid-1980s through the then lesser populated but nearby area of Garvaghy Road. In the interim fresh housing stock built on the former McCready's Rose fields on the Garvaghy Road was occupied by a cross-section of families from both persuasions but slum clearance in Obins Street meant that many of the Catholic residents were relocated to the new housing and following sectarian intimidation
Intimidation
Intimidation is intentional behavior "which would cause a person of ordinary sensibilities" fear of injury or harm. It's not necessary to prove that the behavior was so violent as to cause terror or that the victim was actually frightened.Criminal threatening is the crime of intentionally or...
between both communities in various estates in the town, the Garvaghy Road estates became almost 100% Catholic.
The parade was one of three which had been staged by the Orange Order to march through the Tunnel and was the scene of rioting from as early as 1873. In the modern troubles this flashpoint became the source of confrontation between the Catholics of the Tunnel area and Protestants from neighbouring Edgarstown, often exacerbated by men from other areas within the town reinforcing the numbers on either side. On several occasions in the 1970s this resulted in gun battles between the Royal Ulster Constabulary
Royal Ulster Constabulary
The Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
and locals. See 'Two Hundred Years in the Orange Citadel' at http://orangecitadel.blogspot.com/
Areas of interest and flashpoints
- Edgarstown: a small Protestant enclave of Georgian terraced houses to the west of the town centre, scene of much rioting.
- Brownstown: initially a mixed estate, built postwar, slightly west of the town centre on the site of a former prisoner of war Camp, which became predominantly Protestant through polarisation.
- Redmanville/Corcrain: two estates built over several decades on the western edge of the town with a very mixed population which by and large managed to avoid the ghettoisation of many of the town's other estates.
- Killicomaine: A largely Protestant estate on the northeastern edge of town. The few Catholics who did live here were intimidated from their homes during the worst of the Troubles.
- Edenderry: A largely Protestant urban area of mixed Georgian terraces and Victorian townhouses to the east of the River BannRiver BannThe River Bann is the longest river in Northern Ireland, the total length being 80 miles . The river winds its way from the south east corner of Northern Ireland to the north west coast, pausing in the middle to widen into the enormous Lough Neagh...
. Part of this area was blocked off by the Ulster Defence AssociationUlster Defence AssociationThe Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
(UDA) but cleared during Operation MotormanOperation MotormanOperation Motorman was a large operation carried out by the British Army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The operation took place in the early hours of 31 July 1972 with the aim of retaking the "no-go areas" that had been established in Belfast, Derry and other large towns.-Background:The...
. - Obins Street: Also known as the Tunnel; running north west but linked to the town centre by Woodhouse Street and continuing onto the Dungannon Road. A Catholic enclave of terraced Georgian housing, much of which was demolished during "slum" clearances. The residents were decanted into new housing on the Garvaghy Road estates.
- Garvaghy Road: an area of new, mixed housing, running northwest of the town centre, built mainly on the site of the former "McCready's Roses" growing area. This also takes in the earlier "Churchill Park" estate built by Portadown Borough Council prior to the formation of the "Northern Ireland Housing Executive". Both estates were filled by Protestants and Catholics who had been moved from "slum clearance" areas such as John Street, Mary Street, Fowlers Entry, West Street and Obins Street during the 1960s and early 1970s. Becoming mainly Catholic in the early to mid-1970s, the Protestants who were domiciled there were largely intimidated out and relocated to housing vacated by Catholic families in Protestant estates such as Killcomaine, where intimidation forced Catholics out.
- Rectory Park: A Protestant estate on the outskirts of the town, seen its fair share of trouble during the 1980s and 90s. The stand-off of the late 80s between the Orangemen and RUC, over the latter's blocking the Orange Order from travelling along Obins Street to Corcrain, spilled the estate into violence. Members of the RUC were forced to leave their homes and their counterparts faced heavy rioting inside the estate. The strong UDA presence in the estate brought further violence during the late 90s, with the Drumcree conflict. Roads were once again barricaded, both on Northway and Brownstown Road. The British Army and RUC came under great pressure and even had to re-route there forces out to Drumcree. Rectory Park was also the home for two LVF Leaders: Billy WrightBilly WrightBilly Wright may refer to:* Billy Wright , Wolverhampton Wanderers and England football captain* Billy Wright , Everton and Birmingham City centre-half...
and Mark 'Swinger' Fulton.
During the late 1960s and up to the mid-1970s the Edgarstown and Obins Street areas were separated only by a wasteland which had formerly been railway lines and the railway marshalling and repair facility which had dominated the area for many years. Civil engineering projects such as new roads and housing eventually covered this area but in the interim it became a venue for civil disturbance between the rival factions of the two areas, who would clash on the site.
The IRA bombing campaign
Portadown was greatly affected by the Provisional IRA's bombing campaign from 1970 onwards. Large swathes of the High Street and West Street were destroyed on several occasions by large explosions from car/van bombs and improvised explosive devices as were a number of side streets and at various locations elsewhere in the town. The biggest bomb of them all, was the IRA bomb of May 1993. Public houses appeared to be a favourite target with some, like the Shamrock Chalet on the Armagh Road, being reduced to rubble on mulitple occasions.Loyalists
Portadown is a predominantly Protestant town and ancestral home of the Orange Order. Other loyalist organisations were strongly represented in the town during the Troubles such as: the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), the Ulster Defence AssociationUlster Defence Association
The Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
(UDA) and the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF). A separate splinter group was later formed out of the Mid-Ulster UVF, the leader of which was Billy Wright
Billy Wright (loyalist)
William Stephen "Billy" Wright was a prominent Ulster loyalist during the period of violent religious/political conflict known as "The Troubles". He joined the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1975 and became commander of its Mid-Ulster Brigade in the early 1990s...
(known by the press as "King Rat"), who was resident in the Rectory Park Estate prior to his period of imprisonment at HMP Maze during which he was assassinated. The Loyalist Volunteer Force
Loyalist Volunteer Force
The Loyalist Volunteer Force is a loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland. It was formed by Billy Wright in 1996 when he and the Portadown unit of the Ulster Volunteer Force's Mid-Ulster Brigade was stood down by the UVF leadership. He had been the commander of the Mid-Ulster Brigade. The...
(LVF) was formed in 1996; due to the views held by Wright, his old counterparts in the UVF placed a death threat on his head. This view towards him was also held by the mainstream UDA and UFF. The only allies Wright and the LVF had, was the support of a small section of the UFF based on the Shankill Road in Belfast. Johnny Adair
Johnny Adair
Jonathan Adair, better known as Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair is the former leader of the "C Company", 2nd Battalion Shankill Road, West Belfast Brigade of the "Ulster Freedom Fighters" . This was a cover name used by the Ulster Defence Association , an Ulster loyalist paramilitary organisation...
was the leader of C Company UFF, part of the West Belfast Brigade
UDA West Belfast Brigade
The UDA West Belfast Brigade is the section of the Northern Irish loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association based in the western quarter of Belfast in the Greater Shankill area...
. Both these groups lost their support quickly and were almost defunct by 2007. Wright who was shot dead by the INLA in December 1997 was later replaced by his sidekick Mark "Swinger" Fulton
Mark Fulton (loyalist)
Mark "Swinger" Fulton was a Northern Irish loyalist. He was the leader of the Loyalist Volunteer Force , having taken over its command following the killing of the paramilitary organisation's founder, Billy Wright, in the Maze Prison in 1997 by members of the Irish National Liberation Army .Fulton...
, who later committed suicide in prison. The feud between the UVF and LVF lasted for many years after Wright's killing, with the result of many innocent people such as Protestant teenagers Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine becoming victims. There were also high profile members of the UVF that suffered, such as the commander at the time: Richard Jameson
Richard Jameson (loyalist)
Richard Jameson , was a Northern Irish businessman and loyalist, who served as the leader of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force's Mid-Ulster Brigade...
. Loyalists ran a social club in the former Summerson's Cinema in Bridge Street for several years during the early part of the Troubles, before it was closed down by the police.
Police
The Royal Ulster ConstabularyRoyal Ulster Constabulary
The Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
(RUC) initially had two stations in the town; one at the "Tunnel" entrance to Obins Street and the other at Edward Street. The former closed in the 1950s and the latter remained the main centre of police operations throughout the Troubles but is now reduced to part time as the police presence has been transferred to the Mahon Road complex.
Army
Portadown had no regular army presence but maintained a small Territorial Army base at Charles Street (known as "Charlies Walls") which housed HQ Company of the 4th Battalion Royal Irish RangersRoyal Irish Rangers
The Royal Irish Rangers was a regular infantry regiment of the British Army.-Creation:...
, (The North Irish Militia). Although this did house small numbers of troops in the early part of the Troubles the main military presence was from units based outside Portadown, such as Kitchen Hill Barracks in Lurgan. The formation of the 11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
Ulster Defence Regiment
The Ulster Defence Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army which became operational in 1970, formed on similar lines to other British reserve forces but with the operational role of defence of life or property in Northern Ireland against armed attack or sabotage...
saw a small barracks being built on the Southern edge of town at Mahon Road on a greenfield site. This was dubbed "Fort Mahon" by the Ulster Defence Regiment
Ulster Defence Regiment
The Ulster Defence Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army which became operational in 1970, formed on similar lines to other British reserve forces but with the operational role of defence of life or property in Northern Ireland against armed attack or sabotage...
(UDR). It housed HQ Company, A Company (Tandragee) and E Company (Portadown) - formerly the Lurgan/Portadown Company of 2 UDR. As paramilitary activity in the town increased accommodation was increased at Fort Mahon to include, firstly, a roulemont unit of regular soldiers, mostly Royal Artillery units in battery
Artillery battery
In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
strength. In the mid 1970s 3 Infantry Brigade was relocated from Lurgan to Portadown and in the late 1970s RUC DMSU & HMSU units were also based there. When the UDR increased in strength a full company of permanent cadre (A Company) was then formed at what was then known as Mahon Road Barracks. In the mid 1980s married quarters were built on the dge of the barracks for the families of regular soldiers attached to the Brigade HQ. Since the end of Operation Banner
Operation Banner
Operation Banner was the operational name for the British Armed Forces' operation in Northern Ireland from August 1969 to July 2007. It was initially deployed at the request of the Unionist government of Northern Ireland to support the Royal Ulster Constabulary . After the 1998 Belfast Agreement,...
the military have withdrawn from the complex and the Police Service of Northern Ireland
Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland....
(PSNI) have taken over the complex to relieve the pressure of working from the cramped conditions of the Edward Street RUC Station. The married quarters have been sold off to the public.
- The SAS - from 1975, a detachment of SASSpecial Air ServiceSpecial Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
were based at Mahon Road Barracks in a building fenced off from the remainder of the barracks. Windows were covered in mirrored glass and the occupants did not mix with the other military or police units in the various bars and canteens scattered throughout the camp. The site was cleared by the early 1980s and became the parade square for the barracks complex.
1972
- 12 July - Jack McCabe (48), a CatholicRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
civilian, and William Cochrane (53), ProtestantProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
civilian, were shot dead by the Ulster Defence AssociationUlster Defence AssociationThe Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
(UDA)
1978
- 8 March - Thomas Trainor (29), an Irish National Liberation ArmyIrish National Liberation ArmyThe Irish National Liberation Army or INLA is an Irish republican socialist paramilitary group that was formed on 8 December 1974. Its goal is to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and create a socialist united Ireland....
(INLA) volunteer, and Denis Kelly (31), a Catholic civilianCivilianA civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
, were killed by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) with shots fired from a passing motorcycle shortly after leaving the Department of Health and Social Services office, Jervis Street, Portadown.
1979
- 13 March - Robert McNally, a Protestant Ulster Defence RegimentUlster Defence RegimentThe Ulster Defence Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army which became operational in 1970, formed on similar lines to other British reserve forces but with the operational role of defence of life or property in Northern Ireland against armed attack or sabotage...
(UDR) soldier, was killed by an INLA booby-trap bomb. First recorded use of a mercury tilt device by the INLA.
1985
- 3 July - Thousands of Loyalists demonstrated against a proposed Royal Ulster ConstabularyRoyal Ulster ConstabularyThe Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
(RUC) decision to re-route a church parade away from the 'Tunnel' (the Catholic Obins Street) area. On 6 July 1985, the RUC decided to allow a church parade through the area, but imposed a ban on similar marches on the 12 and 13 July, resulting in serious clashes in Portadown between Nationalist protesters and police on 7 July as the parade of 2,500 Orangeman, passed through the Catholic Obins Street. Eight policemen were injured and three people were arrested. On 12 and 13 July there was further rioting in Portadown, this time between Loyalists and the RUC, as the Orange Order and Black Institution parades were re-routed from the 'Tunnel' area. In total 52 policemen were injured and 43 people were arrested during these two days of rioting.
1986
- 31 March - Tom KingTom King, Baron King of BridgwaterThomas Jeremy King, Baron King of Bridgwater, CH, PC , is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in the Cabinet from 1983–92, and was the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bridgwater in Somerset from 1970-2001...
, Secretary of State for Northern IrelandSecretary of State for Northern IrelandThe Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, informally the Northern Ireland Secretary, is the principal secretary of state in the government of the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State is a Minister of the Crown who is accountable to the Parliament of...
, announced his decision to ban the Apprentice BoysApprentice Boys of DerryThe Apprentice Boys of Derry is a Protestant fraternal society with a worldwide membership of over 80,000, founded in 1814. They are based in the city of Derry, Northern Ireland. However, there are Clubs and branches across Ireland, Great Britain and further afield...
Easter Monday Parade, resulting in rioting in PortadownPortadownPortadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
and other parts of the North. Despite the Secretary of State's ruling, about 400 Apprentice Boys attempted to parade through Portadown, leading to clashes with police and soldiers and rioting. Meanwhile about 3,000 Loyalists, led by Ian PaisleyIan PaisleyIan Richard Kyle Paisley, Baron Bannside, PC is a politician and church minister in Northern Ireland. As the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party , he and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness were elected First Minister and deputy First Minister respectively on 8 May 2007.In addition to co-founding...
, had assembled in protest at Garvaghy Road and police were attacked there also. Sporadic rioting continued for several days.
- 3 July - The RUC allowed an Orange Church parade to pass through the Catholic Obins Street area, but banned the 12 and 13 July parades from doing so. Three days later rioting broke out when police prevented George SeawrightGeorge SeawrightGeorge Seawright was a controversial unionist politician in Northern Ireland who was assassinated by the Irish People's Liberation Organisation during the Troubles.-Early life:...
, a Loyalist politician, from passing through the 'Tunnel' area. On 11 July, the Portadown Orangemen accepted a compromise offered by the RUC to march along the Garvaghy Road route. This resulted in a weekend of violence, with casualties including 128 police injuries, 66 civilian injuries and 127 arrests. The riots continued in BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and Portadown for six consecutive nights.
1993
- 22 May - The Provisional IRAProvisional Irish Republican ArmyThe Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
exploded a 1,000 lb bomb in Portadown town centre, after a telephoned warning. Six people were wounded and an estimated £8 million damage caused.
1997
- 27 April - Robert HamillRobert HamillRobert Hamill was a Catholic civilian who was beaten to death by a loyalist mob in Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Hamill and his friends were attacked on 27 April 1997 on the town's main street. It has been claimed that the local Royal Ulster Constabulary , parked a short distance...
(25), Gregory Girvan, Siobhan Girvan and Joanne Girvan, all Catholic civilians, were walking home through Portadown's main street when they were confronted by a gang of thirty loyalists. The men attacked Robert and Gregory, and (according to Amnesty InternationalAmnesty InternationalAmnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
in their report The Sectarian Killing of Robert Hamill) the group continued to kick Hamill while he lay on the ground, shouting sectarian abuse such as "Die you Fenian bastard!". Hamill went into a comaComaIn medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
and died in hospital on 8 May, while the Girvans survived. The report stated that four RUC officers sitting in their jeep about 20 feet from the attack did not intervene or come to help them. In November 2004, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Paul Murphy, announced the terms of reference for the inquiry into Robert Hamill's death. It has been suspected that RUC members have tried to protect the loyalists responsible. This was investigated by Peter Corry and a public inquiry is currently underway.
1998
- 23 February - A 300 lb car bomb exploded in Portadown town centre, after a telephoned warning. Many shops were badly damaged and two buildings were completely destroyed. There were no injuries in the explosion. It is believed that the Continuity IRAContinuity Irish Republican ArmyThe Continuity Irish Republican Army, otherwise known as the Continuity IRA and styling itself as Óglaigh na hÉireann, is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation that aims to bring about a united Ireland. It emerged from a split in the Provisional IRA in 1986 but did not become active until...
planted the bomb.