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Commemoration event held for Sean Graham's victims 25th anniversary

Relatives lay wreaths at yesterday's memorial for victims of the murders in 1992 at bookies Sean Graham's on the Ormeau Road. Picture by Cliff Donaldson
Relatives lay wreaths at yesterday's memorial for victims of the murders in 1992 at bookies Sean Graham's on the Ormeau Road. Picture by Cliff Donaldson Relatives lay wreaths at yesterday's memorial for victims of the murders in 1992 at bookies Sean Graham's on the Ormeau Road. Picture by Cliff Donaldson

RELATIVES of five Catholic men killed in a loyalist gun attack in Sean Graham’s bookmakers gathered yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the massacre.

Hundreds of friends and supporters also turned out as wreaths and flowers were laid at the scene of the murders in south Belfast.

The men died when a UDA gunman burst into the Ormeau Road bookmakers and opened fire on those inside on February 5, 1992.

The dead included Peter Magee (18), James Kennedy (15), Christy Doherty (51), William McManus (54) and Jack Duffin (66). Seven people were also injured in the attack.

A decade of the rosary was led by Fr McGinnity of St Malachy’s Church before the families of the victims, including many of the victims' grandchildren, brought flowers and tributes to the memorial.

Among those to leave flowers was a tearful Bridget Donnelly, who was working in the shop when the attack took place 25 years ago. She said she wanted to pay her respects to those who died and support the families of the victims.

Sinn Féin figures Alex Maskey and Máirtín Ó Muilleoir were among those to attend the event.

Lower Ormeau Resident’s Association spokesman John Gormley told those gathered that the nationalist community has long suspected security force collusion in the attack.

He said the families had been told that a Police Ombudsman report into the murders would be published shortly.

Mr Gormley also read a message on behalf of the families in which they thanked the community for their support and he praised them for their "constant dignity in the face of injustice".

"The families are absolute in their pursuit for truth and justice and we support them in doing this," he said.

A special anniversary Mass was held later at St Malachy’s to remember the dead.

The Mass had extra significance as it coincided with the month’s mind of victim Peter Magee’s twin brother Michael.

Michael Magee died last month aged 43; his death has been linked to the "traumatic experiences in his teenage years" from which he never fully recovered.