Northern Ireland

New monument to mark 35th anniversary of Loughgall ambush

A previous monument dedicated to two IRA men killed at Loughgall
A previous monument dedicated to two IRA men killed at Loughgall A previous monument dedicated to two IRA men killed at Loughgall

A MONUMENT dedicated to members of the IRA killed during the Loughgall ambush, which was previously destroyed, will be replaced this weekend to mark the 35th anniversary of the attack.

Eight IRA members were shot dead by the SAS at Loughgall in Co Armagh on May 8 1987 during an attack on the village RUC station.

Civilian Anthony Hughes also lost his life.

Relatives believe their loved ones were victims of a British army shoot-to-kill policy.

The stone memorial dedicated to two of the dead, Jim Lynagh and Padraig McKearney, at Drumfurrer in Co Monaghan was completely destroyed in 2019.

It is not known who was responsible for the attack, which is believed to have involved a digger.

The original 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 the original monument was put up by republicans in the area in 2007.

A new Dolmen-style memorial will be unveiled at the site on Sunday by the Tyrone National Graves Association (TNGA), which is non-party political.

Relatives of those who died will also take part in commemoration in Galbally, near Donaghmore, on Sunday afternoon organised jointly by the TNGA and the 1916 Societies.

The main speaker will be veteran Tyrone republican Tommy McKearney, whose brother Padraig was killed at Loughgall.