This article lists the major violent and political incidents during the Troubles and peace process in Northern Ireland. The Troubles (Irish: Na Trioblóidí) was a period of conflict in Northern Ireland involving republican and loyalist paramilitaries, the British security forces, and civil rights groups. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the riots of 1968 to the Belfast Agreement of 1998.[1][2][3][4] However, sporadic violence continued after this point. Between 14 July 1969 and 31 December 2001, an estimated 3523 people had been killed in the conflict.[5]
4 January |
Burntollet ambush – a People's Democracy march between Belfast and Derry was repeatedly attacked by loyalists and off-duty police. At Burntollet bridge it was ambushed by ~200 loyalists armed with iron bars, bricks and bottles. The police did little to protect the march.[7] |
30 March |
The Ulster Protestant Volunteers (UPV) bombed an electricity station at Castlereagh, resulting in blackouts. A further five bombs were exploded at electricity stations and water pipelines throughout April. Many believe this was part of a loyalist plot to frame the IRA and bring an end to equality reforms.[8] |
17 April |
Bernadette Devlin becomes the youngest woman ever elected to Westminster. |
21 April |
The British Ministry of Defence grants Northern Ireland Army reinforcements for the first time since the Second World War.[9][10] |
28 April |
Terence O'Neill resigns as Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. |
14 July |
A 67-year-old Catholic civilian died after being attacked by RUC officers in Dungiven. Many consider this the first death of the Troubles.[11] |
12–14 August |
Battle of the Bogside – serious rioting erupted in Derry after an Apprentice Boys march. |
14–17 August |
Northern Ireland riots of August 1969 – in response to events in Derry, rioting erupted in Belfast, Dungannon, Dungiven, Coalisland, Armagh, Newry and Crossmaglen. Eight people were shot dead and at least 133 were treated for gunshot wounds. Loyalists set fire to hundreds of homes in nationalist areas.[12]
The British Army was deployed on the streets of Northern Ireland.
|
11 October |
Three people were shot dead during street disturbances in the Shankill area of Belfast. Two were civilians shot by the British Army and one was an RUC officer shot by suspected loyalists. He was the first RUC officer to die in the Troubles.
The British Army shot dead two civilians.[13]
|
December |
A split formed in the Irish Republican Army, creating what was to become the Official IRA and Provisional IRA. |
31 March |
Following an Orange Order parade, intense riots erupted on the Springfield Road in Belfast. Violence lasted for three days, and the British Army used CS gas for the first time in large quantities. About 38 soldiers and dozens of civilians were injured.[14] |
27 June |
Following the arrest of Bernadette Devlin, intense riots erupted in Derry and Belfast. During the evening, loyalist paramilitaries made incursions into republican areas of Belfast. This led to a prolonged gun battle between republicans and loyalists. Seven people were killed. |
3–5 July |
Falls Curfew – for three days the British Army imposed a curfew on the Falls Road area of Belfast as they searched for weapons. During the operation they came under attack from the Official IRA (OIRA) and republican rioters. Five civilians were killed, sixty were injured and three hundred were arrested by the British Army. Fifteen soldiers were shot by the OIRA. |
2 August |
Rubber bullets were used for the first time.[15] |
August |
Leading Nationalist party, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) was formed. |
6 February |
Robert Curtis became the first British soldier to die in the Troubles when he was shot by the IRA on New Lodge Road, Belfast.[16] |
9 March |
Three off-duty Scottish soldiers are killed by the IRA. 4000 shipyard workers take to the streets to demand internment in response. |
23 March |
Brian Faulkner became the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. |
25 May |
The PIRA threw a time bomb into Springfield Road British Army/RUC base in Belfast, killing British Army Sergeant Michael Willetts and wounding seven RUC officers, two British soldiers and eighteen civilians. |
8 July |
During street disturbances, British soldiers shot dead two Catholic civilians in Free Derry. As a result, riots erupted in the city and the SDLP withdrew from Stormont in protest.[17] |
9 August |
Operation Demetrius (or Internment) was introduced in Northern Ireland. The security forces arrested 342 people suspected of supporting paramilitaries. During 9–11 August, fourteen civilians were shot dead by the British Army, and three security forces personnel were shot dead by republicans. In the following days, an estimated 7000 people fled their homes. The vast majority of the dead, imprisoned and refugees were nationalists and Catholics.[18] |
September |
Loyalist groups formed the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). The group would quickly become the largest loyalist group in Northern Ireland.[19] |
4 December |
McGurk's Bar bombing – the UVF exploded a bomb at a Catholic-oned pub in Belfast, killing fifteen Catholic civilians and wounding seventeen others. This was the highest death toll from a single incident in Belfast during the Troubles. |
30 January |
Bloody Sunday – 27 unarmed civilians were shot (of whom 14 were killed) by the British Army during a civil rights march in Derry. This was the highest death toll from a single shooting incident during the Troubles. |
2 February |
Funerals of eleven of those killed on Bloody Sunday. Prayer services held across Ireland. In Dublin, over 30,000 marched to the British Embassy, carrying thirteen replica coffins and black flags. They attacked the Embassy with stones and bottles, then petrol bombs. The building was eventually burnt to the ground. |
22 February |
Aldershot bombing – seven people were killed by an Official IRA bomb at Aldershot Barracks in England. It was thought to be in retaliation for Bloody Sunday. Six of those killed were female ancillary workers and the seventh was a Roman Catholic priest. |
March |
Stormont Government was dissolved. Direct rule from Westminster was introduced. |
14 April |
The IRA exploded twenty-four bombs in towns and cities across Northern Ireland. There was also fourteen shootouts between the IRA and security forces.[20] |
22 April |
An 11-year-old boy was killed by a rubber bullet fired by the British Army in Belfast. He was the first to die from a rubber bullet impact. |
28 May |
Four PIRA volunteers and four civilians were killed when a bomb they were preparing exploded prematurely at a house on Anderson Street, Belfast. |
29 May |
The Official IRA announced a ceasefire. This marked the end of the Official IRA’s military campaign. |
13 July |
There was a series of gun-battles and shootings across Belfast. The PIRA shot dead three British Army soldiers, and the British Army shot dead two civilians and a PIRA volunteer. |
14 July |
There was a series of gun-battles and shootings across Belfast. The PIRA shot dead three British Army soldiers, the British Army shot dead a PIRA volunteer and an OIRA volunteer, while a civilian was shot dead in crossfire. |
21 July |
Bloody Friday – within the space of seventy-five minutes, the PIRA exploded twenty-two bombs in Belfast. Six civilians, two British Army soldiers and one UDA volunteer were killed, while 130 were injured. |
31 July |
Operation Motorman – the British Army used 12,000 soldiers supported by tanks and bulldozers to re-take the "no-go areas" controlled by the PIRA. |
31 July |
Claudy bombing – nine civilians were killed when three car bombs exploded in Claudy, County Londonderry. No group has since claimed responsibility. |
20 December |
Five civilians (four Catholics, one Protestant) were killed in gun attack on the Top of the Hill Bar in Derry.[21] It is believed the UDA was responsible.[22] |
4 February |
British Army snipers shot dead a PIRA volunteer and three civilians at the junction of Edlingham Street and New Lodge Road, Belfast.[23] |
7 February |
The United Loyalist Council held a one-day strike to "re-establish some sort of Protestant or loyalist control over the affairs of the province". Loyalist paramilitaries forcibly tried to stop many people going to work and to close any businesses that had opened. There were eight bombings and thirty-five arsons. Three loyalist paramilitaries and one civilian were killed. |
8 March |
The PIRA undertook its first operation in Great Britain, when it planted four car bombs in London. Ten members of the PIRA team were arrested at Heathrow Airport while trying to leave the country. |
17 May |
Five British Army soldiers were killed by a PIRA booby-trap bomb in Omagh, County Tyrone.[24] |
12 June |
Six Protestant civilians were killed by a PIRA bomb in Coleraine, County Antrim. The warning given prior to the explosion had been inadequate.[25] |
28 June |
Northern Ireland Assembly elections took place. |
31 October |
Mountjoy Prison escape – three PIRA volunteers escaped from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin using a hijacked helicopter. |
December |
The Sunningdale Agreement was signed. |
4 February |
M62 coach bombing – nine British Army soldiers and three civilians were killed when a PIRA bomb exploded on a bus as it was travelling along the M62 motorway in West Yorkshire, England. It was carrying British Army soldiers and some of their family members. |
20 April |
The Troubles claimed its 1000th victim.[26] |
2 May |
Six Catholic civilians were killed and eighteen wounded when the UVF exploded a bomb at Rose & Crown Bar on Ormeau Road, Belfast.[27] |
15 May |
Beginning of the Ulster Workers' Council strike. |
17 May |
Dublin and Monaghan bombings – the UVF exploded four bombs (three in Dublin, one in Monaghan) in the Republic of Ireland. They killed thirty-three civilians and wounded a further 300. This was the highest number of casualties in a single incident during "The Troubles". It has been alleged that members of the British security forces were involved. The UVF did not claim responsibility until 15 July 1993.[28] |
28 May |
The Northern Ireland Executive collapsed. As a result, direct rule was re-introduced.[29] |
17 June |
The Provisional IRA bombed the Houses of Parliament in London, injuring 11 people and causing extensive damage.[30] |
5 October |
Guildford pub bombings – four soldiers and one civilian were killed by PIRA bombs at two pubs in Guildford, England. |
21 November |
Birmingham pub bombings – twenty-one civilians were killed when bombs exploded at two pubs in Birmingham, England. This was the deadliest attack in England during the Troubles. The "Birmingham Six" would be tried for this and convicted. Many years later, after new evidence of police fabrication and suppression of evidence, their convictions would be quashed and they would be released. |
10 December |
The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and its political wing the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) was founded at the Spa Hotel in the village of Lucan near Dublin. |
22 December |
The PIRA announced a Christmas ceasefire.[31] Prior to ceasefire, they carried out a bomb attack on the home of former Prime Minister Edward Heath. Mr Heath was not in the building at the time and no one was injured.[32] |
10 February |
The PIRA agreed on a ceasefire with the British government and the Northern Ireland Office. Seven "incident centres" were established in nationalist areas to monitor the ceasefire and the response of the security forces.[33] |
20 February |
A feud began between the Official IRA (OIRA) and the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). The two groups assassinated a number of each other's volunteers until the feud ended in June 1975.[33] |
March |
A feud began between the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Ulster Defence Association (UDA), resulting in a number of assassinations.[34] |
12 April |
Six Catholic civilians were killed in a UVF gun and grenade attack on Strand Bar in Belfast.[35] |
22 June |
The UVF tried to derail a train by planting a bomb on the railway line near Straffan, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland. A civilian tried to stop the UVF volunteers, and was stabbed-to-death. However, his actions delayed the explosion enough to let the train pass safely. |
17 July |
Four British soldiers were killed by a PIRA remote-controlled bomb near Forkill, County Armagh. The attack was the first major breach of the February truce.[36] |
31 July |
Miami Showband massacre – UVF volunteers (some of whom were also UDR soldiers) shot dead three members of an Irish showband at Buskhill, County Down. The gunmen staged a bogus military checkpoint, stopped the showband's minibus and ordered the musicians out. Two gunmen then hid a time bomb in the bus, but it exploded and they were killed. The other gunmen then opened fire on the musicians and fled. Three UDR soldiers were later convicted for their part in the attack, which has been linked to the "Glenanne gang". |
1 September |
Five Protestant civilians (all Orangemen) were killed and seven were wounded in a gun attack on Tullyvallen Orange Hall near Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.[37] One of the Orangemen was an off-duty RUC officer, who returned fire.[38] The attack was claimed by the South Armagh Republican Action Force (SARAF), who said it was retaliation for "the assassinations of fellow Catholics in Belfast".[39] |
2 October |
The UVF killed seven civilians in a series of attacks across Northern Ireland. Six were Catholic civilians and one was a Protestant civilian. Four UVF volutneers were also killed when their bomb prematurely exploded as they drove along a road in Farrenlester, near Coleraine.[40] |
22 November |
Drummuckavall Ambush – three British Army soldiers were killed and one captured when the PIRA attacked a watchtower in South Armagh. |
25 November |
A loyalist gang nicknamed the "Shankill Butchers" undertook its first "cut-throat killing". The gang was named for its late-night kidnapping, torture and murder (by throat slashing) of random Catholic civilians in Belfast. |
5 December |
End of internment. |
6 December |
Balcombe Street Siege – for six days, four PIRA volunteers held two hostages at an apartment in London, England. |
19 December |
The Red Hand Commandos exploded a no-warning car bomb in Dundalk, killing two civilians and wounding twenty. Shortly after, the same group launched a gun and bomb attack across the border in Silverbridge. Two Catholic civilians and an English civilian were killed in that attack, while six others were wounded. There is evidence that RUC officers and UDR soldiers were involved in the attacks, which have been linked to the "Glenanne gang".[41][42] |
4–5 January |
Reavey and O'Dowd killings – the UVF shot dead six Catholic civilians in two co-ordinated attacks in County Armagh. An officer in the RUC Special Patrol Group took part in the killings, which have been linked to the "Glenanne gang".
Kingsmill massacre – the South Armagh Republican Action Force shot dead ten Protestant civilians after stopping their minibus at Kingsmill, County Armagh.
|
23 January |
The PIRA truce of February 1975 was officially brought to an end.[43] |
March |
End of Special Category Status for prisoners convicted of terrorist crimes. |
17 March |
Four Catholic civilians (including two children) were killed and twelve wounded when the UVF exploded a car bomb at Hillcrest Bar, Dungannon. The attack has been linked to the "Glenanne gang".[44] |
15 May |
The UVF launched gun and bomb attacks on two pubs in Charlemont, killing four Catholic civilians and wounding many more. A British Army UDR soldier was later convicted for taking part in the attacks.[45]
The PIRA killed three RUC officers in County Fermanagh and one RUC officer in County Down.[46] |
5 June |
Nine civilians were killed during separate attacks in and around Belfast. The UVF killed five civilians in a gun and bomb attack, the UDA/UFF assassinated a member of Sinn Féin, and two civilians were killed in a bombing by suspected republicans.[47] |
2 July |
Six civilians were killed in a UVF gun attack on Ramble Inn near Antrim, County Antrim. The pub was targeted because it was owned by Catholics.[48] |
21 July |
Christopher Ewart Biggs, the British Ambassador to Ireland, and his secretary Judith Cook, were assassinated by a bomb planted in Mr. Biggs’ car in Dublin. |
30 July |
Four Protestant civilians were shot dead at a pub off Milltown Road, Belfast. The attack was claimed by the Republican Action Force.[48] |
10 August |
A PIRA volunteer was shot dead by the British Army as he drove along a road in Belfast. His car then went out of control and killed three children. This incident sparked a series of "peace rallies" throughout the month. The group that organised the rallies became known as Peace People, and was led by Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams. Their rallies were the first (since the conflict began) where large numbers of Protestants and Catholics joined forces to campaign for peace.[49] |
September |
Blanket protests began in the Maze prison, in protest at the end of special category status. The term ‘blanket protest’ comes from the protesters refusal to wear prison uniforms, instead wrapping blankets around themselves. |
17 February |
La Mon restaurant bombing – eleven civilians and an RUC officer were killed and thirty wounded by a PIRA incendiary bomb at the La Mon Restaurant near Belfast. |
17 June |
The PIRA killed an RUC officer and kidnapped another near Crossmaglen, County Armagh. The following day, three RUC officers kidnapped a Catholic priest and vowed to hold him hostage until their comrade was freed. However, they released the priest shortly thereafter. In December 1978 these RUC officers were charged both for the kidnapping and for the murder of a Catholic shopkeeper.[51] |
21 June |
The British Army shot dead three PIRA volunteers and a passing UVF volunteer at a postal depot on Ballysillan Road, Belfast. It is claimed that the PIRA volunteers were about to launch a bomb attack.[52] |
21 September |
The PIRA exploded bombs at the RAF airfield near Eglinton, County Londonderry. The terminal building, two aircraft hangars and four planes were destroyed.[53] |
14–19 November |
The PIRA exploded over fifty bombs in towns across Northern Ireland, injuring thirty-seven people. Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Castlederg, Cookstown and Enniskillen were hardest hit.[54] |
20 February |
Eleven loyalists known as the "Shankill Butchers" were sentenced to life in prison for nineteen murders. The gang was named for its late-night kidnapping, torture and murder (by throat slashing) of random Catholic civilians in Belfast. |
22 March |
The PIRA assassinated Richard Sykes, the British ambassador to the Netherlands, in Den Haag. The group also exploded twenty-four bombs in various locations across Northern Ireland.[55] |
30 March |
The INLA assassinated Airey Neave, Conservative MP and advisor to Margaret Thatcher. The INLA exploded a booby-trap bomb underneath his car as he left the House of Commons, London. If he had lived, he might have become Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the Conservatives won the United Kingdom general election two months later. |
17 April |
Four RUC officers were killed by a PIRA van bomb in Bessbrook, County Armagh. The bomb was estimated at 1000 lb, believed to be the largest PIRA bomb used up to that point.[56] |
27 August |
Warrenpoint ambush – eighteen British Army soldiers were killed when the PIRA exploded two roadside bombs as a British convoy passed Narrow Water Castle near Warrenpoint. There was a brief exchange of fire, and the British Army shot dead a civilian. This was the British Army's highest death toll from a single attack during the Troubles. On the same day, four people (including the Queen’s cousin Lord Louis Mountbatten) were killed by a PIRA bomb on board a boat near the coast of County Sligo. |
September |
During a visit to the Republic of Ireland, Pope John Paul II appealed for an end to the violence in Northern Ireland.[57] |
16 December |
Four British Army soldiers were killed by a PIRA landmine near Dungannon, County Tyrone. Another British Army soldier was killed by a PIRA landmine near Forkill, County Armagh.[58] |
21 January |
Norman Stronge and his son James Stronge (both former UUP MPs) were assassinated by the IRA at their home Tynan Abbey, which was then burnt down. |
1 March |
Republican prisoners in the Maze began a second hunger strike. |
9 April |
Hunger striker Bobby Sands won a by-election to be elected as a Member of Parliament at Westminster. The law was later changed to prevent prisoners standing in elections. |
5 May |
After 66 days on hunger strike, 26 year old Bobby Sands MP died in the Maze. Nine further hunger strikers died in the following 3 months. |
19 May |
Five British Army soldiers were killed when their Saracen APC was ripped apart by a PIRA roadside bomb near Bessbrook, County Armagh.[59][60] |
10 June |
Eight PIRA prisoners escaped from Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast. Using handguns that had been smuggled into the prison, they took prison officers hostage and shot their way out of the building.[59] |
17 July |
Glasdrumman ambush – the PIRA attacked a British Army post in South Armagh, killing one soldier and injuring another. |
1 September |
Northern Ireland’s first religiously integrated secondary school opened. |
3 October |
Republican hunger strike ended. |
January |
SDLP leader John Hume and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams held a meeting. Many consider this meeting as the beginning of the Peace Process. |
6 March |
Operation Flavius – three unarmed PIRA volunteers were killed by the SAS in Gibraltar. |
16 March |
Milltown Cemetery attack – at the funeral of those killed in Gibraltar, Loyalist Michael Stone (using pistols and grenades) attacked the mourners, killing one PIRA volunteer and two civilians. Over sixty others were wounded. Most of the attack was filmed by television news crews. |
19 March |
Corporals killings – at the funeral of Michael Brady (killed in the Milltown Cemetery attack) two non-uniformed British Army corporals were attacked by civilians and then executed by the PIRA, after being mistaken for Loyalist gunmen. |
15 June |
Six off-duty British Army soldiers were killed by a PIRA bomb attached to their van in Lisburn. The bomb was made in such a way so as to ensure it exploded upwards, lowering the risk of collateral damage.[72] |
20 August |
Ballygawley bus bombing – eight British Army soldiers were killed and twenty-eight wounded when the PIRA attacked their bus with a roadside bomb near Ballygawley, County Tyrone.[73] |
19 October |
The British Government introduced the broadcasting ban on organisations believed to support terrorism – including 11 Loyalist and Republican groups and Gerry Adams' voice.[74] |
9 April |
Four British Army (Ulster Defence Regiment) soldiers were killed when the PIRA exploded a landmine under their patrol vehicle near Downpatrick, County Down. The blast was so powerful that the vehicle was hurled into a nearby field. |
6 May |
Operation Conservation – the British Army attempted to ambush a PIRA unit in South Armagh, but were counter-ambushed and one British soldier was killed. |
20 July |
The PIRA bombed the London Stock Exchange.[77] |
20 July |
A PIRA landmine attack on an RUC patrol vehicle in Armagh killed three RUC officers and a civilian. |
30 July |
Conservative MP for Eastbourne, Ian Gow, was assassinated by a PIRA bomb planted in his car. |
30 September |
Two Catholic civilians were killed by British Army soldiers in Belfast. |
24 October |
Proxy bomb attacks – the PIRA launched three "proxy bombs" or "human bombs" at British Army checkpoints. Three men (who were or had been working with the British Army) were tied into cars loaded with explosives and ordered to drive to each checkpoint. Each bomb was detonated by remote control. The first exploded at a checkpoint in Coshquin, killing the driver and five soldiers. The second exploded at a checkpoint in Killeen; the driver narrowly escaped but one soldier was killed. The third failed to detonate.[78] |
22 November |
Margaret Thatcher resigned as British Prime Minister. |
3 February |
The PIRA launched a "proxy bomb" attack on a British Army (Ulster Defense Regiment) base in Magherafelt, County Londonderry. The bomb caused major damage to the base and nearby houses, but the driver escaped before it exploded. |
7 February |
The PIRA launched three mortar shells at 10 Downing Street while the British Cabinet were holding a meeting.[32] |
3 March |
Three PIRA volunteers and a Catholic civilian were shot dead by the UVF at Boyle's Bar in Cappagh, County Tyrone.[79] The volunteers arrived in a car as a UVF gang was about to attack the pub. The UVF fired at the car (killing the volunteers) then fired into the pub (killing the civilian). According to nationalist sources, UVF Mid-Ulster Brigade commander Billy Wright was involved.[80] |
29 April |
The Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) (acting on behalf of all loyalist paramilitaries) announced a ceasefire lasting until 4 July. This was to coincide with political talks between the four main parties (the Brooke-Mayhew talks). |
31 May |
Glenanne barracks bombing – the PIRA launched a large truck bomb attack on a British Army (Ulster Defence Regiment) base in County Armagh. Three soldiers were killed, whilst ten soldiers and four civilians were wounded. The blast left a deep crater and it could be heard over 30 miles away. Most of the UDR base was destroyed by the blast and the fire that followed. It was one of the largest bombs detonated during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. |
17 January |
A PIRA landmine killed eight Protestant men and wounded six others at Teebane Crossroads near Cookstown, County Tyrone. The men had been working for the British Army at a base in Omagh and were returning home on a minibus. Shortly thereafter, Peter Brooke (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland) appeared on the Irish RTÉ Late Late Show and was persuaded to sing "Oh My Darling, Clementine". Unionists accused him of gross insensitivity for agreeing to do so. |
4 February |
Allen Moore, an RUC officer, walked into a Belfast Sinn Féin office and shot dead three Catholic civilians. Moore drove away from the scene and later shot himself. |
5 February |
The UDA, using the covername "Ulster Freedom Fighters" (UFF), claimed responsibility for a gun attack on a bookmaker's shop on Lower Ormeau Road, Belfast. Five Catholic civilians were killed and three wounded.[81] |
16 February |
Clonoe ambush – A PIRA unit attacked Coalisland RUC base in County Tyrone using a heavy machine gun mounted on the back of a stolen lorry. Following the attack, the British Army ambushed the unit in a graveyard. Four PIRA volunteers were killed and two were wounded but escaped.[82] |
10 April |
The PIRA exploded a truck bomb at the Baltic Exchange in London. Despite a telephoned warning, three civilians were killed. The bomb caused £800 million worth of damage. |
1 May |
Attack on Cloghogue checkpoint – the PIRA, using a van modified to run on railway tracks, launched an elaborate bomb attack on a British Army checkpoint in South Armagh. The checkpoint was obliterated and one soldier was killed. |
17 May |
Coalisland riots – After a PIRA bomb attack on a British Army patrol near Cappagh, in which a soldier lost his legs, British soldiers raided two public houses in Coalisland and caused considerable damage. This led to a fist-fight between the soldiers and locals. Shortly thereafter, another group of British soldiers arrived and fired on a crowd of civilians, wounding seven.[83] |
28 August |
The PIRA's "South Armagh snipers" undertook their first successful operation, when a British Army soldier was shot dead on patrol in Crossmaglen, County Armagh. |
23 September |
The PIRA exploded a 2000 lb bomb at the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory in South Belfast. The laboratory was obliterated, seven hundred houses were damaged, and twenty people were injured. The explosion could be heard from over 16 km away. It was one of the largest bombs to be detonated during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.[84] |
20 March |
Warrington bomb attacks – after a telephoned warning, the PIRA exploded two bombs in Warrington, Cheshire, England. Two children were killed and fifty-six people were wounded. There were widespread protests in Britain and Ireland following the deaths. |
25 March |
Castlerock killings – the UDA, using the covername "Ulster Freedom Fighters" (UFF), claimed responsibility for shooting dead four Catholic civilians and a PIRA volunteer at a building site in Castlerock, County Londonderry. Later in the day it claimed responsibility for shooting dead another Catholic civilian in Belfast.[85] |
24 April |
Bishopsgate bombing – after a telephoned warning, the PIRA exploded a large bomb at Bishopsgate, London. It killed one civilian, wounded thirty others, and caused an estimated £350 million in damage. |
23 October |
Shankill Road bombing – eight civilians, one UDA volunteer and one PIRA volunteer were killed when a PIRA bomb prematurely exploded at a fish shop on Shankill Road, Belfast. The PIRA's intended target was a meeting of loyalist paramilitary leaders, which was scheduled to take place in a room above the shop. However, unbeknownst to the PIRA, the meeting had been re-scheduled. |
30 October |
Greysteel massacre – the UDA, using the covername "Ulster Freedom Fighters" (UFF), claimed responsibility for a gun attack on the Rising Sun Bar in Greysteel, County Londonderry. Eight civilians (six Catholic, two Protestant) were killed and twelve wounded. One gunman yelled "trick or treat!" before he fired into the crowded room; a reference to the Halloween party taking place. The UFF claimed that it had attacked the "nationalist electorate" in revenge for the Shankill Road bombing.[86] |
January |
The broadcasting ban was lifted in the Republic of Ireland. |
March |
The PIRA carried out a mortar attack on Heathrow Airport, London. Further attacks were carried out later in the month, but on each occasion the mortars failed to explode. |
2 June |
Twenty-nine people, including ten senior RUC officers, died during the 1994 Scotland RAF Chinook crash at Mull of Kintyre, Scotland. They were travelling from Belfast to a security conference in Inverness. |
16 June |
The INLA shot dead three UVF volutneers in a gun attack on Shankill Road, Belfast. |
18 June |
Loughinisland massacre – the UVF shot dead six Catholic civilians and wounded five others during a gun attack on a pub in Loughinisland, County Down.[87] |
31 August |
The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) issued a statement which announced a complete cessation of military activities.[88] This ceasefire was broken less than two years later. |
16 September |
The broadcasting ban was lifted in the UK. |
13 October |
The Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC) issued a statement which announced a ceasefire on behalf of all loyalist paramilitaries. The statement noted that "The permanence of our cease-fire will be completely dependent upon the continued cessation of all nationalist/republican violence".[89] |
9 February |
London Docklands bombing – after a telephoned warning, the PIRA bombed the Docklands in London. The bomb killed two civilians, and brought to an end the ceasefire after 17 months and 9 days. |
10 June |
Political talks at Stormont began without Sinn Féin.[90] |
15 June |
Manchester bombing – after a telephoned warning, the PIRA exploded a bomb in Manchester, England. It destroyed a large part of the city centre and injured over 200 people. To date, it is the largest bomb to be detonated on the British mainland since the Second World War. |
July |
Drumcree conflict – the RUC decided to block the annual Orange Order march through the nationalist Garvaghy area of Portadown. In response, loyalist protestors attacked the RUC and blocked hundreds of roads across Northern Ireland. Eventually, the RUC allowed the march to continue, leading to serious rioting by nationalists across Northern Ireland.[91] |
7 October |
The PIRA exploded two bombs at the British Army HQ in Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn. One soldier was killed and thirty-one wounded.[92] |
12 February |
The PIRA's "South Armagh snipers" shot dead a British soldier manning a checkpoint in Bessbrook, County Armagh. He was the last British soldier to be killed during Operation Banner. |
5 April |
The Grand National horse race was cancelled, and Aintree Racecourse evacuated following a hoax bomb warning from the PIRA. It was one of a number of events that proved how easily the PIRA could disrupt the lives of the British public with minimum effort, and minimum risk to PIRA volunteers. (The race was eventually run the following Monday – 7 April – with no distruption.) |
June |
Sinn Féin won its first ever seats in Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) |
16 June |
The PIRA shot dead two RUC officers on patrol in Lurgan, County Armagh. They were the last RUC officers to be killed before the signing of the Belfast Agreement (see below). |
6–9 July |
Drumcree conflict – to ensure the Orange Order march could continue, the security forces sealed-off the nationalist Garvaghy area of Portadown. This sparked serious rioting in Portadown and across Northern Ireland. After four days, the RUC released figures which showed that there had been 60 RUC officers injured; 56 civilians injured; 117 people arrested; 2,500 plastic bullets fired; 815 attacks on the security forces; 1,506 petrol bombs thrown; and 402 hijackings.[93] |
20 July |
The PIRA renewed its ceasefire. |
September |
Sinn Féin signed the Mitchell Principles.
Multi-party talks resumed.
|
27 December |
INLA prisoners shot dead Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) leader and fellow prisoner Billy Wright inside the maximum-security Maze Prison. The LVF launched a number of revenge attacks over the following weeks. |
10 April |
After two years of intensive talks, the Belfast Agreement (also known as the 'Stormont Agreement' or 'Good Friday Agreement') was signed at Stormont in Belfast. |
15 May |
The Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) declared an "unequivocal ceasefire". The group hoped this would encourage people to vote against the Belfast Agreement.[94] |
22 May |
Two referendums were held on the Belfast Agreement, one in Northern Ireland and one in the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland the vote was 71.2% in favour, in the Republic of Ireland the vote was 94.39% in favour.[95] |
25 June |
Northern Ireland Assembly elections were held. David Trimble was elected First Minister. Seamus Mallon was elected deputy. |
5–12 July |
Drumcree conflict – the annual Orange Order march was prevented from marching through the nationalist Garvaghy area of Portadown. Security forces and about 10,000 loyalists began a standoff at Drumcree church. During this time, loyalists launched 550 attacks on the security forces and numerous attacks on Catholic civilians. On 12 July, three children were burnt to death in a loyalist petrol bomb attack. This incident brought an end to the standoff.[96] |
15 August |
Omagh bombing – a dissident republican group calling itself the Real IRA exploded a bomb in Omagh, County Tyrone. It killed twenty-nine civilians, making it the worst single bombing of the Troubles, in terms of civilian life lost. |
22 August |
The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) declared a ceasefire.[97] |
1998 |
Considered by many as the end of the troubles.[3][4][98] Violence nonetheless continues on a small-scale basis.[99] |
11 February |
Direct rule was reinstated and the Northern Ireland Assembly suspended by new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Mandelson, citing insufficient progress on decommissioning.[101] |
27 March |
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry began in Derry. It is the biggest public inquiry in British history.[102] |
29 May |
Devolution was restored to the Northern Ireland Assembly.[101] |
2–12 July |
Drumcree conflict – the annual Orange Order parade was banned from marching through the nationalist Garvaghy area of Portadown. The security forces erected large barricades to prevent loyalists from entering the area. About 2,000 British soldiers were deployed to keep order. During the standoff at Drumcree Church, loyalists continually launched missiles at the security forces.[103] |
28 July |
The final prisoners were released from the Maze Prison, under the conditions of the Good Friday Agreement.[104] |
21 September |
The Real IRA fired a rocket propelled grenade at MI6 headquarters in London.[105][106] |
4 March |
BBC bombing – a Real IRA bomb exploded outside BBC Television Centre, causing some damage to the building. |
19 June |
Holy Cross dispute – RUC officers had to protect pupils and parents at Holy Cross Catholic Girls' School in Belfast, following attacks from loyalist protesters. The attacks resumed in September, following the school summer holidays, before subsiding in January 2002.[107] |
11–13 July |
The worst rioting for several years took place in Belfast.[108] |
3 August |
Ealing bombing – a Real IRA car bomb injured seven civilians in Ealing, west London. |
23 October |
The Provisional IRA began decommissioning of its weaponry.[109] |
4 November |
The RUC was replaced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Recruits were recruited on the basis of 50% Catholic, 50% Protestant.[110] |
6 January |
It was announced that the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) had decommissioned its weapons in front of independent witnesses.[129] |
6 February |
It was announced that the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) had decommissioned its weapons in front of independent witnesses.[130] |
9 February |
The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning stood down.[131] |
22 February |
The RIRA were blamed for detonating a car bomb outside a courthouse in Newry, heavily damaging the guardhut. This was the first successful car bomb attack in Northern Ireland since 2000.[132] |
12 April |
A group calling itself Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for detonating a car bomb outside the MI5 headquarters at Palace Barracks in Holywood, County Down.[133] |
23 April |
A car bomb exploded outside a PSNI station in Newtownhamilton, County Armagh.[134] |
3 August |
Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for detonating a 200 lb car bomb outside Strand Road PSNI station in Derry.[135] |
4 October |
The RIRA claimed responsibility for detonating a car bomb close to the Ulster Bank on Culmore Road in Derry.[136] |
6 November |
Three PSNI officers were injured after a grenade was thrown at them as they were investigating a robbery on Shaw's Road in West Belfast. Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility.[137] |