La Mon Remembered - Without Paisley

Three decades on and around 100 people - mostly relatives and survivors - gathered on Sunday at Castlereagh Council's civic buildings for the anniversary of one of Northern Ireland's worst ever IRA attacks.

Assembly First Minister, Ian Paisley was absent as the relatives recalled how 12 people were burned to death and several dozen were seriously injured after an horrific incendiary bomb - which had been placed by the IRA along window grills - sent a fire ball through the La Mon hotel just before dinner time on February 17, 1978.

More than 400 people were at the venue that Friday night attending events run by the Irish Collie Club and the Northern Ireland Junior Motorcycle Club.

All the dead were Protestant and included an RUC reservist, three married couples and seven women.

The private ceremony was organised by Castlereagh Borough Council and the memorial, led by the Rev David McIlveen, was attended by most of the local councillors as well as some senior DUP MLAs such as Iris Robinson and Jimmy Spratt.

DUP leader Ian Paisley stayed away after families threatened to walk out of the event if he attended - in protest at his close relationship with Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness - despite his prominent role in the republican movement.

However, DUP party colleague, MLA Iris Robinson said: "The La Mon bombing was an absolute tragedy which has caused untold hurt.

"Real closure can only be brought for the victims of La Mon when those responsible for the crime face the full rigours of our justice system.

"I will not relent on that case regardless of who or where the perpetrators be," she said.

(BMcC)