Ireland

Miami Showband victims in appeal to former UDR members

Band members want to speak to soldiers who suspect ranks infiltrated at time of UVF atrocity

Wreaths at a memorial to the members of the Miami Showband at a ceremony organised by Justice for the Forgotten in Dublin last week. Survivors of the UVF atrocity have called for soldiers who suspected their ranks had been infiltrated by loyalists to help shed light on the incident. Photograph: Eric Luke / The Irish Times.
Wreaths at a memorial to the members of the Miami Showband at a ceremony organised by Justice for the Forgotten in Dublin last week. Survivors of the UVF atrocity have called for soldiers who suspected their ranks had been infiltrated by loyalists to help shed light on the incident. Photograph: Eric Luke / The Irish Times.
Tue Aug 04 2015 - 12:12

The survivors of the Miami Showband attack have urged soldiers who suspected their ranks had been infiltrated by loyalists to help shed light on the UVF atrocity.

Three members of the popular cabaret band were shot dead by a UVF gang after being flagged down as they drove to Dublin after playing a gig in Banbridge, Co Down in July 1975.

Lead singer Fran O'Toole (29), guitarist Tony Geraghty (23), and trumpet player Brian McCoy (33) were killed when the gang opened fire after two of its members blew themselves up as they attempted to plant a bomb inside the band's bus.

The gang included a number of rogue Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) soldiers. It had flagged down the bus after setting up a fake UDR security check point on the A1 in Co Down.

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The two band members who survived the massacre - Des Lee and Stephen Travers - are currently taking legal action against the police and Ministry of Defence.

Their claim, which also involves the widows of Mr O’Toole and Mr McCoy, focuses on the contention that the UDR did not do enough to prevent collusion with loyalists at the time.

Days after the 40th anniversary of the attack, they have appealed for former UDR soldiers to help their quest for justice.

Michael Flanigan, the Belfast-based solicitor representing the survivors and bereaved families, said the event was still as shocking now as in 1975.

“It is well established that by the time the attack on the Miami Showband took place, the UDR had experienced years of infiltration by, and regular loss of weapons to, loyalist paramilitaries,” he said. “We are seeking to take statements from former UDR members about their experience within the UDR from this period.”

Mr Flanigan said he was satisfied that many people who joined the UDR would have been aware of loyalist infiltration and concerned about its impact on the regiment.

“In particular, we would like to hear from former UDR members who may have reported concerns about collusion to their superiors within the regiment,” he said.

Mr Flanigan urged anyone with information to contact his office on Belfast’s Falls Road on (028) 90233309 or email info@michael-flanigan.com

PA