Northern Ireland

Memorial in Monaghan to IRA members killed at Loughgall 'demolished'

The memorial dedicated to IRA men Jim Lynagh and Padraig McKearney
The memorial dedicated to IRA men Jim Lynagh and Padraig McKearney The memorial dedicated to IRA men Jim Lynagh and Padraig McKearney

A DIGGER is believed to have been used to demolish a monument put up in memory of two IRA members killed by the SAS.

The stone memorial at Drumfurrer in Co Monaghan was completely destroyed in the attack this week.

The memorial was dedicated to Jim Lynagh and Padraig McKearney who were killed during an SAS ambush at Loughgall in Co Armagh in 1987.

Six other IRA members and a civilian also died in the British army ambush launched as republicans attacked the RUC station in the village.

A memorial dedicated to two IRA men killed at Loughgall has been completely destroyed in Co Monaghan
A memorial dedicated to two IRA men killed at Loughgall has been completely destroyed in Co Monaghan A memorial dedicated to two IRA men killed at Loughgall has been completely destroyed in Co Monaghan

The memorial was located in a remote area close to the border with Co Tyrone in an area known as a traditional republican heartland.

It is believed it was put up by republicans in the area in 2007.

Read More: New information in Loughgall case

Only rubble remained at the site yesterday. It is not known why it was targeted.

While memorials dedicated to people killed in the conflict have been attacked and damaged in the past it is unusual for one to be completely destroyed.

The memorial dedicated to IRA men Jim Lynagh and Padraig McKearney
The memorial dedicated to IRA men Jim Lynagh and Padraig McKearney The memorial dedicated to IRA men Jim Lynagh and Padraig McKearney

In a joint statement Mairead Kelly and Roisin Ni Cheallaigh of the Loughgall Truth and Justice Campaign said they were “truly shocked and astounded” by the attack.

Read More: RUC men 'partied' in the back of Loughgall death van

Describing the demolition as a “desecration” they said: “To do this to any of the Loughgall families is to do it to us all. It is a very upsetting...but our memories and thoughts cannot be erased."

Mairead Kelly
Mairead Kelly Mairead Kelly

Gardaí last night said they were unware of the incident.