Menu
21/10/2013
Thomas Begley Plaque Unveiled Amid Protests
A commemorative plaque dedicated to Thomas Begley, an IRA man who died while planting a bomb in a Shankill Road shop in 1993, has been unveiled in north Belfast.
Nine civilians, including two children aged seven and 13, where killed alongside Begley when the bomb he was carrying exploded prematurely as he entered a shop on 23 October, 1993.
The plaque was revealed by Begley's father, Billy Begley, in a ceremony organised by friends.
A group protested the ceremony on the nearby Crumlin Road with critics of the plaque saying that it would only add to the grief of the victims.
Billy Begley addressed the group gathered for the unveiling, saying that the plaque was not a "celebration or a glorification of that tragic day", and was not intended to "degrade the innocent people on the Shankill Road."
Commenting on the plaque, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, who caused controversy when he carried the coffin of Thomas Begley, told the BBC: "I think we have to be very sensitive about all of this. Thomas Begley has a family, those families arguably are victims.
"The Shankill Road bombing, we all know inflicted awful hurt upon the people who were killed and those people who were injured.
"So I'm very mindful, as we seek to build the future, that we have to deal with the past, and part of the problem for victims is that the past is the present.
"It's not going away, so we need to be ultra, ultra careful and sensitive to everybody's feelings in this situation," Mr Adams added.
(MH/JP)
Nine civilians, including two children aged seven and 13, where killed alongside Begley when the bomb he was carrying exploded prematurely as he entered a shop on 23 October, 1993.
The plaque was revealed by Begley's father, Billy Begley, in a ceremony organised by friends.
A group protested the ceremony on the nearby Crumlin Road with critics of the plaque saying that it would only add to the grief of the victims.
Billy Begley addressed the group gathered for the unveiling, saying that the plaque was not a "celebration or a glorification of that tragic day", and was not intended to "degrade the innocent people on the Shankill Road."
Commenting on the plaque, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, who caused controversy when he carried the coffin of Thomas Begley, told the BBC: "I think we have to be very sensitive about all of this. Thomas Begley has a family, those families arguably are victims.
"The Shankill Road bombing, we all know inflicted awful hurt upon the people who were killed and those people who were injured.
"So I'm very mindful, as we seek to build the future, that we have to deal with the past, and part of the problem for victims is that the past is the present.
"It's not going away, so we need to be ultra, ultra careful and sensitive to everybody's feelings in this situation," Mr Adams added.
(MH/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 October 2013
Shankill Road Bombing Memorial Service Held
A service has been held to mark the 20th anniversary of the Shankill Road bombing that killed ten people. According to reports hundreds of people attended a service at West Kirk Presbyterian Church, while shops along the Shankill Road closed their shutters as a mark of respect.
Shankill Road Bombing Memorial Service Held
A service has been held to mark the 20th anniversary of the Shankill Road bombing that killed ten people. According to reports hundreds of people attended a service at West Kirk Presbyterian Church, while shops along the Shankill Road closed their shutters as a mark of respect.
19 September 2018
Up To 100 Roads Closed As Storm Ali Hits NI
A growing number of roads across Northern Ireland are closed due to adverse weather conditions as a result of Storm Ali.
Up To 100 Roads Closed As Storm Ali Hits NI
A growing number of roads across Northern Ireland are closed due to adverse weather conditions as a result of Storm Ali.
17 July 2013
Celtic Fans Warned Ahead Of Cliftonville Tie
Supporters of Glasgow's Celtic Football Club have been warned against sporting team colours while in Belfast city centre, ahead of tonight's tie with north Belfast team Cliftonville. Celtic supporters will be travelling to Belfast today for the UEFA Champions League qualifier at Solitude, Cliftonville's home ground.
Celtic Fans Warned Ahead Of Cliftonville Tie
Supporters of Glasgow's Celtic Football Club have been warned against sporting team colours while in Belfast city centre, ahead of tonight's tie with north Belfast team Cliftonville. Celtic supporters will be travelling to Belfast today for the UEFA Champions League qualifier at Solitude, Cliftonville's home ground.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
29 July 2005
Hain defends Kelly release decision
Secretary of State Peter Hain has defended his decision to release Shankill bomber Sean Kelly from jail in light of Thursday's IRA announcement. Kelly was returned to prison in June following a decision by Mr Hain that he had breached the terms of his licence.
Hain defends Kelly release decision
Secretary of State Peter Hain has defended his decision to release Shankill bomber Sean Kelly from jail in light of Thursday's IRA announcement. Kelly was returned to prison in June following a decision by Mr Hain that he had breached the terms of his licence.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
