The families of nine people killed during an SAS ambush at Loughgall almost 30 years ago will remember the dead at an independent republican parade in Co Tyrone this weekend.
Eight IRA members and one civilian were killed when the SAS opened fire on an IRA team as it prepared to attack an RUC station in the Co Armagh village 30 years ago next Monday, May 8.
The parade, which will include several bands, has been organised by relatives of the dead in conjunction with the 1916 Societies.
The eight IRA men were all members of the organisation’s ‘east Tyrone Brigade’ while the civilian, Anthony Hughes, was shot after he and his brother drove into the ambush by mistake.
His brother Oliver was also seriously wounded in the attack.
In 2014 the British government apologised to Anthony’s widow Brigid.
Relatives of those killed believed their loved ones were victims of a ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy.
The parade will be at the culmination of a weekend of events to remember the victims and will be attended by the families of all of those who died.
It will begin at Galbally Community Centre at 3pm before making its way to a memorial in nearby Cappagh.
During the commemoration there will be a performance of poetry and song by relatives of those killed.
Organisers say the event is “non-party political and everyone is welcome”.
On Saturday members of the public are invited to take part in a guided tour of the graves of those who died.
The event will start at 10.30am at Altmore Church graveyard before travelling to the graves of all those who died.
The tour will include visits to graves in Galbally, Aughnagar, Monaghan, Caledon, Tullysarron, Moy before finishing at Edendork near Dungannon.
An annual Mass which has been organised by the families will be held at Altmore Church at 7.30pm tonight.
A spokesman for the organisers said: “This commemoration gives all republicans, young and old, a chance to remember these fine Irishmen who died thirty years ago that evening in Loughgall."
The event follows a Sinn Féin commemoration for the IRA deaths at Loughgall held last Sunday. The party's leader in the north, Michelle O'Neill was criticised by unionists for addressing the gathering.
