IRA/UVF killings

ballybay_eh · 20-07-2008 02:59PM #1

Apologies if this topic is a bit sensitive. I'll remove if others feel it is.

I remember my father told me a story when I was young about some of the killings that took place during the Troubles. One story in particular came back to me recently but I can only remember the vaguest details about it.

Apparently a Gaelic football team were on their way back from a football match and there bus was stopped by either the IRA or the UVF (can't remember). They were made to get out of the bus and line up. They were then asked one by one what religion they were. All the players except for one were Catholic/Protestant (again, can't remember). All the players were shot except for the one player of the different religion.

Hopefully that will refresh someone's memory and they can fill in the gaps. It may be a sort of urban legend of the hatred and brutality of the times but I would like to know the full details. When? Where? And which "side" actually did the killing.

Duff · 20-07-2008 03:02PM

Can open...worms everywhere.

Piste · 20-07-2008 03:03PM

It was common for both the IRA/UVF to kidnap people on the way home from work and ask them if they were Catholic or Protestant, you'd have to second-guess your attacker and try to guess what religion they were.

Another thing was that they'd make you recite the Lords prayer and they could tell which religion you were by the ending of it, again you'd have to try and second-guess them.

The story your heard could very well be true or an amalgamation of a few incidents that happened up there.

Phlann · 20-07-2008 03:11PM

I don't know how true the story is, I've heard a few different versions of it.

The general theme is that they were stopped by a group of people they assumed were the IRA who demanded to know which one of them was the protestant.

They figured he'd be shot so they didn't give him up, eventually he owned up himself and as it happens they were loyalist paramilitaries and they shot the catholics, leaving him alive.

Now I've heard it told the other way around too so I don't know if a story exactly like that one ever happened

beautiation · 20-07-2008 03:17PM

What if you were Hindu?

Phlann · 20-07-2008 03:19PM

You have to choose one of

a) Chinese burn
b) Nipple Cripple
c) Pink belly

War is hell.

DublinWriter · 20-07-2008 03:24PM

beautiation wrote: »

What if you were Hindu?

Then they'd ask you if you're a Catholic Hindu, or a Protestant Hindu.

Defenestrate · 20-07-2008 03:26PM

There's a reason why history like this should stay in the history books... Some people need to just move on and grow up.

Latchy · 20-07-2008 03:26PM

DublinWriter wrote: »

Then they'd ask you if you're a Catholic Hindu, or a Protestant Hindu.

northern or southern ireland ?

Piste · 20-07-2008 03:27PM

DublinWriter wrote: »

Then they'd ask you if you're a Catholic Hindu, or a Protestant Hindu.

Hehe yup, I was just about to say!

biko · 20-07-2008 03:29PM

A guy is walking down the street in Belfast, suddenly he feels the barrel of a gun against the back of his neck.

"Now would you be Protestant, or would you be Catholic?"

Thinking quickly, he says, "I'm a Jew!"

There's a pause, and then, "I'm the luckiest Palestinian in Belfast."

Phlann · 20-07-2008 03:30PM

biko wrote: »

A guy is walking down the street in Belfast, suddenly he feels the barrel of a gun against the back of his neck.

"Now would you be Protestant, or would you be Catholic?"

Thinking quickly, he says, "I'm a Jew!"

There's a pause, and then, "I'm the luckiest Palestinian in Belfast."

I was just trying to remember that joke :pac:

Latchy · 20-07-2008 03:32PM

That's the one i remember to :pac:

ballybay_eh · 20-07-2008 04:49PM

Defenestrate wrote: »

There's a reason why history like this should stay in the history books... Some people need to just move on and grow up.

That's a ridiculous statement. You can't just ignore events like this from our country's history. I think its an ignorant view and is disrespectful to those affected by it. It also shows us how far we've come and is useful as a warning to future generations as to the effects of blind hatred and prejudice towards those of different beliefs.

Thanks to those who made a genuine attempt to answer my question.

Bottle_of_Smoke · 20-07-2008 05:10PM

biko wrote: »

A guy is walking down the street in Belfast, suddenly he feels the barrel of a gun against the back of his neck.

"Now would you be Protestant, or would you be Catholic?"

Thinking quickly, he says, "I'm a Jew!"

There's a pause, and then, "I'm the luckiest Palestinian in Belfast."

I like the ending "Mohammed, we have him!"

Latchy · 20-07-2008 05:10PM

ballybay_eh wrote: »

That's a ridiculous statement. You can't just ignore events like this from our country's history. I think its an ignorant view and is disrespectful to those affected by it. It also shows us how far we've come and is useful as a warning to future generations as to the effects of blind hatred and prejudice towards those of different beliefs.

Thanks to those who made a genuine attempt to answer my question.

I agree .I just finished reading The Miami showband massacre ,co written by Stephen Travers / Neil Fetherstonhaugh and although i remember the tragedy at the time all to well, it wasnt till i read this sad personell and very moving account by survivor Stepehen Travers that i began to understand better how and why it happened . All the murders that took place in NI and Republic over the troubles was a tragedy weather victims were protestant or catholic . I think this book is up there as a great guide and useful reference, as a warning to future generation as to the effects of blind hatred and prejudice towards those of different beliefs.

gurramok · 20-07-2008 05:41PM

OP may be thinking of the Kingsmill massacre in Armagh which was part of a tit for tat bloody episode at the time http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsmill_massacre

It didn't involve GAA players though

Defenestrate · 20-07-2008 06:06PM

ballybay_eh wrote: »

That's a ridiculous statement. You can't just ignore events like this from our country's history. I think its an ignorant view and is disrespectful to those affected by it. It also shows us how far we've come and is useful as a warning to future generations as to the effects of blind hatred and prejudice towards those of different beliefs.

Thanks to those who made a genuine attempt to answer my question.

Sure, history is important but bringing up the events of particularly brutal incidents and asking 'whodunnit?' just seems antagonistic to me, that's all. Still, I suppose it's boring to study something like the history of medicine...

DublinWriter · 20-07-2008 06:14PM

latchyco wrote: »

I agree .I just finished reading The Miami showband massacre ,co written by Stephen Travers / Neil Fetherstonhaugh and although i remember the tragedy at the time all to well, it wasnt till i read this sad personell and very moving account by survivor Stepehen Travers that i began to understand better how and why it happened . All the murders that took place in NI and Republic over the troubles was a tragedy weather victims were protestant or catholic . I think this book is up there as a great guide and useful reference, as a warning to future generation as to the effects of blind hatred and prejudice towards those of different beliefs.

Knowing the son of one of those killed in the Miami Massacre, I can say that the scars still run pretty deep for a lot of people directly involved.

Both Protestants and Catholics members of the band were killed in that senseless act.

Back on track, I think the OP was being genuine in trying to get details on a specific incident of the troubles and didn't merit the usual grandstanding by those whom by my definition - anonymously have Internet, anonymously will rant.

Latchy · 20-07-2008 06:18PM

Defenestrate wrote: »

Sure, history is important but bringing up the events of particularly brutal incidents and asking 'whodunnit?' just seems antagonistic to me, that's all. Still, I suppose it's boring to study something like the history of medicine...

i can understand were you are coming from and on seeing the thread title some might think ' antagonistic sunbject ' .It's not a comfortable subject i suppose and may bring back to people painful memories they have blanked out or would otherwise wish to forget, and perfectly understandable to .

DublinWriter wrote: »

Knowing the son of one of those killed in the Miami Massacre, I can say that the scars still run pretty deep for a lot of people directly involved.

Both Protestants and Catholics members of the band were killed in that senseless act.

Back on track, I think the OP was being genuine in trying to get details on a specific incident of the troubles and didn't merit the usual grandstanding by those whom by my definition - anonymously have Internet, anonymously will rant.

as my post above before i saw yours

QUOTE]

philologos · 20-07-2008 06:20PM

ballybay_eh wrote: »

That's a ridiculous statement. You can't just ignore events like this from our country's history. I think its an ignorant view and is disrespectful to those affected by it. It also shows us how far we've come and is useful as a warning to future generations as to the effects of blind hatred and prejudice towards those of different beliefs.

Thanks to those who made a genuine attempt to answer my question.

Indeed we should remember it but we should also remember that both sides have had blood on their hands.

The Al Lad · 20-07-2008 06:22PM

beautiation wrote: »

What if you were Hindu?

They'd bring you home and make you make them a curry

gurramok wrote: »

OP may be thinking of the Kingsmill massacre in Armagh which was part of a tit for tat bloody episode at the time http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsmill_massacre

It didn't involve GAA players though

Did the kingsmill masacre not involve lots of bread being milled down by hungry paramilitaries ???

Latchy · 20-07-2008 06:50PM

DublinWriter wrote: »

Back on track, I think the OP was being genuine in trying to get details on a specific incident of the troubles and didn't merit the usual grandstanding by those whom by my definition - anonymously have Internet, anonymously will rant.

Anonymously which is you I, and just about everybody but i agree .Some react to a thread such as this in a humourous way because it's just there way of dealing with it .

PrivateEye · 20-07-2008 08:02PM

There's a reason why history like this should stay in the history books... Some people need to just move on and grow up.

Yeah, all them feckin' Bloody Sunday relatives should just like, get over it, and move on :rolleyes:

Do an image search for Bloody Sunday, or read about the relatives of victims in places like Omagh, and learn why we can't just 'move on' in Ireland at the drop of a hat.

It's very important the state-killers of Bloody Sunday (some of whom I imagine would still even have some role in the British armed forces? ) and the 'brave and bold' carbombers of both sides are brought to justice, then maybe we can move on.

"And when I came where thirteen died
It shrivelled up my heart. I sighed
And looked about that brutal place

Of rage and terror and disgrace"
-Thomas Kinsella

There's a time to move on, it normally follows justice

kraggy · 20-07-2008 08:23PM

latchyco wrote: »

northern or southern ireland ?

****ing hate that.

Live in England and am always asked if I'm from Northern or Southern Ireland.

I'm from Galway so I always say I'm from the West, cue puzzled look on their face.

Latchy · 20-07-2008 08:30PM

kraggy wrote: »

****ing hate that.

Live in England and am always asked if I'm from Northern or Southern Ireland.

I'm from Galway so I always say I'm from the West, cue puzzled look on their face.

well that quote of mine was to do with the joke ie, a southern irish hindu or northern irish hindu ? which may have being lost on one or two but as i also live in england i understand what your saying .I think a lot of people know the different accents but the less informed think of the troubles when they encounter a lot of irish for sure .

marco murphy · 20-07-2008 08:31PM

Most likely Kingsmill. One of the darkest days of the conflict no doubt.

kraggy · 20-07-2008 08:33PM

latchyco wrote: »

well that quote of mine was to do with the joke ie, a southern irish hindu or northern irish hindu ? which may have being lost on one or two but as i also live in england i understand what your saying .I think a lot of people know the different accents but the less informed think of the troubles when they encounter a lot of irish for sure .

Oh yeah, I understand. Wasn't havin a dig at you.

Latchy · 20-07-2008 08:34PM

kraggy wrote: »

Oh yeah, I understand. Wasn't havin a dig at you.

oh no, not for a second did i think you were friend

stovelid · 20-07-2008 11:45PM

biko wrote: »

A guy is walking down the street in Belfast, suddenly he feels the barrel of a gun against the back of his neck.

"Now would you be Protestant, or would you be Catholic?"

Thinking quickly, he says, "I'm a Jew!"

There's a pause, and then, "I'm the luckiest Palestinian in Belfast."

I always liked the one: why were there no mods in Belfast? A: would you walk round up there with a target on your back?

OP: you're almost certainly thinking of the Kingsmill massacre. The IRA shot a group (10 or 11) of protestant workmen, with a single catholic (who identified himself as such) surviving. The story was that the protestants tried to hide the catholic because they thought it was a UDR/Loyalist attack.

marco murphy · 21-07-2008 12:24AM

The IRA shot a group (10 or 11) of protestant workmen, with a single catholic (who identified himself as such) surviving. The story was that the protestants tried to hide the catholic because they thought it was a UDR/Loyalist attack.

I wouldn't say that. It's highly likely a member or members of the IRA carried it out, but it wasn't an official operation.

IRA/UVF killings

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