Coleraine IRA bomber in memorial plan council vote

24 April 2018

Damage caused by the Coleraine bomb, June 1973 — Image caption,
Six people were killed when the bomb exploded in Coleraine in 1973

A Sinn Féin councillor jailed for his part in a bomb attack that killed six people in Coleraine will not oppose plans for a memorial to the victims.

Sean McGlinchey spent 18 years in jail for his part in the bombing in 1973.

A DUP motion to erect a memorial to the victims will be debated by Causeway Coast and Glens councillors later.

The six civilians who died in the Provisional IRA bombing on 12 June 1973 were all older than 60 and were all Protestant.

Memorial held for bomb anniversary

A further 33 people were injured in the attack in which two car bombs exploded in the town.

All of those injured or killed were caught up in the first explosion, which went off on Railway Road at 15:00 BST.

Mr McGlinchey said he no problem with a memorial in Coleraine but will be tabling an amendment that all victims of the Troubles be remembered.

Victims' care

"I will be making it very clear in the chamber that we can not be selective when it comes to victims," he said.

"There are many victims of conflict in the council area like the people who lost their lives at Greysteel or Castlerock."

The former mayor of Limavady is one of seven Sinn Féin representatives on the council.

"As a party, Sinn Féin has always been very clear on the issues for all victims and the need to find a solution and a way to move forward.

"We have to make it clear that we want to ensure all victims in the borough are cared for on an equal basis," he added.

Other

Sean McGlinchey is one of seven Sinn Féin representatives on Causeway Coast and Glens council

Mr McGlinchey said he had "always accepted and apologised for" his role in the Coleraine bombings.

"I don't say this by way of justification, but if I had known that innocent people would have been killed I would not have taken part," he said.

In 2013, a remembrance service was held in Coleraine to mark 40 years since the double car bombing.

It was the first time a civic service had been held to mark the June 1973 attacks.

The DUP motion that will go before council also proposes marking the 45th anniversary of the bombing with a memorial event in the County Londonderry town.

It has been brought forward by councillors Alan McLean and Trevor Clarke.

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