Row 1
Left To Right:
Square 1
Sean Lavery
8th September 1993
Sean was a 21-year-old student murdered in his own home on the Antrim Road by the UFF when they fired through the window of the house.
Square 2
Martin Lavery
20th December 1992
Martin was shot dead by two UVF gunmen who burst into his home in north Belfast and shot him as he was wrapping Christmas presents. His 5-year-old daughter was sitting on his knee at the time.
Square 3
Malcolm Nugent
3rd March 1991
An IRA member, Malcolm, aged 20, was one of four men killed in a UVF attack at Boyle’s pub in Cappagh Co Tyrone. Malcolm was a proud Republican and this is represented on the square by the Easter Lily. He loved a game of pool, enjoyed life, and lived it to the full.
Square 4
John (Jackie) McErlean
7th April 1972
Jackie was an IRA volunteers who was killed on active service when a bomb exploded prematurely. At 17 years of age, he was an apprentice engineer at Feldon House. He had all the gear of the youth at that time, Ben Sherman, Wranglers, Oxfords (well polished) etc. He loved life and lived it to the full. He also loved to go to Greencastle and Star of the Sea discos. Jackie was very fond of the girls and they of him. He had a great future in front of him, he was much loved as he still is to day and is sorely missed by all who knew him.
Square 5
Margaret McErlean
18th February 1974
Margaret, 18 was on her way to work with two friends when the car was ambushed. 16-year-old Thomas Donaghy died instantly and Margaret died a week later in hospital. The other person in the car received injuries. Police had been informed about men acting suspiciously in the area, but did not show up. Margaret wanted a mini car and she was learning the Irish language. She was a flower child hippie.
Square 6
Gary Campbell
7th November 1990
Loyalists shot Gary as he sat with his young son in his home in Spamount St in North Belfast.
Square 7
Thomas Armstrong
3rd March 1991
Thomas Armstrong, was a 52 years old single man from Cappagh, Co Tyrone. He was one of four men killed in a UVF attack on Boyle’s pub in the village of Cappagh on 3rd March 1991. The piece of black leather on the square is from one of his shoes. The penny was because he was remembered for searching for some time for one he lost when he was young. The St Bridget’s Cross and Rosary reflect Tommy’s faith and Irishness. Tommy, on his tractor (which he cherished), was a familiar sight around Cappagh and Galbally.
Row 2
Left To Right:
Square 1
Laura Crawford
1st December 1975
Laura died with Paul Fox in a premature bomb explosion in King Street/Castle Street, Belfast. She was 25 years young. Laura loved pop and rock music so copies of her favourite groups – Led Zepplin and Rory Gallagher – are on the square. The car represents a Ford Anglia with a red roof, which was her pride and joy. She also loved fashion. Laura was a loving daughter and sister who will always be remembered.
Square 2
Sean O’Farrell
16th February 1992
23 year-old Sean was one of four men killed in a planned SAS ambush at St Patrick’s Church Clonoe. Sean enjoyed playing the recorder, which can be seen on his square.
Square 3
Joseph McGuinness
14th August 1974
Shot by UVF as he was crossing North Queen St. He ran back to Upper Meadow St. Joseph loved boxing, which is represented by the gloves on his square.
Square 4
Sean Campbell
20th April 1977
19 year-old Sean was killed in a car bomb explosion at Etna Drive Ardoyne, as he stood at Trevor Mc Kibbon’s funeral. Sean, who was very musical, played drums and the mouth organ. He played in Martin Lavery’s Band. He was a much-loved brother and is sorely missed.
Square 5
Patrick McElhone
7th August 1974
Patrick was taken from his home by members of the British Army and shot dead in a meadow near his home in Pomeroy. The tractor on the square represents Patrick’s love of farming. The accordion represents his love of music and he played in Pomeroy Accordion Band. The sky blue backdrop symbolises the clear blue summer sky the day he died. The daisies and buttercups were in full bloom in the meadow where he was working hay when he died.
Square 6
David McIlwaine
19th February 2000
David was murdered on 19th February 2000. The square is in memory of our son David from Mum and Dad, miss you so much. Also from sister Susie and brother Noel, miss you loads.
Square 7
Henry Heaney
4th June 1978
Henry was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. He served 4 years of his sentence in Long Kesh and most of this time he was in ill health. He died in Musgrave Park hospital aged 65 years of age. Henry was a true Republican to the end.
Row 3
Left To Right:
Square 1
Willie Price
13th July 1984
Willie was shot by the SAS who were lying in wait at Ardboe Co Tyrone, as members of the IRA were scouting the area around a factory. He was shot in the legs and then shot in the head while he was in a sitting position. Willie, one of 10 children, was a keen footballer. He loved painting and had painted a picture of a horse and a bowl of fruit. The painting of the horse is represented on the square.
Square 2
Sam Marshall
7th March 1990
31-year-old Sam was murdered as he walked home to the Kilwilkie Estate in Lurgan. He was with two other men who were followed after signing bail conditions at Lurgan Police Station. Collusion was suspected in this high profile case.
Square 3
Declan Martin
21st February 1984
18-year-old Declan was killed by the SAS in Dunloy. Declan was always with his father and from an early age he helped out with the family’s plumbing business. He was ‘fit for anything’ and would have made a good plumber. As an eldest grandchild, Declan spent many a happy time with his Grandparents in the South Derry area. Declan was a father figure for his siblings and loved to help others. He loved playing snooker and Gaelic football and played for Dunloy minors.
Square 4
Marie Doyle
13th March 1975
Marie was killed by a loyalist bomb, which exploded in Conway’s Bar in Greencastle. Marie was a loving wife to her husband Hugh and a devoted mother to her three children, Mary, Hugh and Martin. She worked hard for her family and always put them first. In the little spare time she had, Marie loved to be in the garden attending her flowers and plants.
Square 5
Peter Magee
5th February 1992
Peter and his twin brother Martin were the youngest in their family of seven. Peter was only 18 years old when he was killed. He was always happy and had a smile for everyone. He enjoyed going to the greyhound track to watch the dogs racing. Peter also loved playing Gaelic football and played for St Malachy’s Gaelic Team. Peter always went to the bookies for a bet with his twin, Martin, but on the 5th February 1992 he went on his own. Sadly that is where his life was brutally taken away from him by a unionist death squad with the full support and knowledge of the British government. Peter will remain in our hearts forever.
Square 6
Doreen McGuinness
1st January 1980
16-year-old Doreen died when the British army opened fire on the car she was travelling in, on the Whiterock Road in West Belfast. A 17 year-old youth was also injured in the incident. Doreen loved Abba and her favourite song was ‘Dancing Queen’
Square 7
Kevin Murray
15th March 1974
Kevin was a 29-year-old IRA member from Dungannon Co Tyrone. He was married with four young children. He was one of two men killed when a bomb exploded prematurely on the Ballygawley to Aughnacloy Road near Dungannon.
Row 4
Left To Right:
Square 1
Michael Donnelly
9th August 1980
A plastic bullet killed Michael on the lower Falls Road. The British army stated Michael had been killed ‘ in the course of a riot ‘. At the inquest the judge dismissed the army’s account and said ‘Michael was killed during a lull and that his death and the use of plastic bullets was uncalled for and unjustified’. Michael was 21 and the eldest of 7 children. He had studied at Queen’s University and had also spent some time in Liverpool. He worked out of the Crescent Art Centre, which catered for both sides of the community. His quest was to make a difference to peoples’ lives. Although Michael lived in the Holy Land area of Belfast he was visiting his parents when he was shot.
Square 2
Sean McConville
15 April 1972
A car came to the roundabout at the Ardoyne Shops. Occupants asked where Brompton Park was. Sean went over to the car and he was shot. He died shortly afterwards from the 5 bullet wounds he received from the two guns which were used. Frankie Curry a prominent Loyalist was in the car. Sean was 17 and the eldest of his family. He loved Celtic football club. His room was decorated with Celtic memorabilia and he travelled to see them play. Sean served his time as a diesel mechanic and looked forward to a promising carer.
Square 3
Martin McCaughey
9th October 1990
Martin was a 23-year-old man from Galbally, Co. Tyrone. He was engaged to be married when he died. He was a member of the IRA and former Sinn Fein councillor, killed by the SAS along with Dessie Grew at Lislasley outside Loughgall in ‘ a shoot to kill’ incident. Martin was a bricklayer who played football and loved a pint of Guinness. He was a physical force Republican
Square 4
Sammy Hughes
7th April 1972
Sammy was a dedicated IRA volunteer. He died when a bomb exploded prematurely at Bawnmore Garages.
Square 5
Brendan Maguire
4th February 1973
A 32-year-old single man, Brendan was one of six unarmed men murdered by the British Army on the New Lodge Road. He had gone to the assistance of another victim when he was shot dead. Brendan was the youngest member of his family. He suffered from asthma and lived with his elderly parents in Burlington St in the New Lodge Road. The night he was shot was the first time Brendan had been out after a severe asthma attack. He worked as a deep-sea docker and was very easy going. In his spare time, Brendan enjoyed having a bet on the horses and a pint of Guinness. He also enjoyed trips up the Antrim coast with his friends.
Square 6
Charles McCrystal
7th April 1972
An IRA Volunteer Charles was killed in action. He died with Jackie McErlean and Sammy Hughes.
Square 7
Joseph McCrystal
13th November 1972
UVF cowards murdered Joseph as walked along the Whitewell Bridge on his way home from work. Some men got out of a car and shot him. As this family had lost two loved ones it was important to the family that Charles and Joseph were together on the quilt.
Row 5
Left To Right:
Square 1
James Hasty
11th October 1974
James worked for Farrens who provided a lift for their workers. He was walking down Broughan St, which is off North Queen St and is a continuation of Duncairn Gardens, to get his lift when he was shot.
Square 2
Tommy Casey
26th October 1990
Tommy was a married man with 11 children who came from Kildress, near Cookstown. Loyalists shot him as he checked the home of a friend who was on holiday. Tommy was a painter and decorator by trade. He was a member of Sinn Fein and a great Irishman.
Square 3
Sean Loughran
25th June 1973
Sean, an IRA Member from Drumglass Way, Dungannon was one of three men killed when the bomb they were transporting in a car exploded prematurely on the Omagh to Gortin Road. Sean painted the picture on the square in 1972 and signed it with a crow, as this was his nickname. His brother, Gerry, also known as ‘the Crow’ died shortly after completing the square
Square 4
Rosaleen O’Kane
17th September 1976
Rosaleen (33) was single and lived alone in North Belfast. She was a friendly, loving sister, who was murdered in her own flat. Her murderers set 3 different fires in the building in order to destroy all evidence. Neighbours heard cries for help but the police did not arrive. Further evidence gathered was destroyed in a mysterious fire at the forensic laboratory at Belvoir. Lenny Murphy’s gang was suspected of carrying out the attack. It is a clear case of collusion.
Square 5
William Johnston
21st December 1991
William lived with his protestant girlfriend in Fortuna St off the Donegall Road, Belfast. Loyalists shot him dead at his home. After the incident it was said to his girlfriend “ go and see your Fenian boyfriend now”. William was a much-loved son and brother and he had many protestant friends.
Square 6
Finbarr McKenna
2nd May 1987
Finbarr was killed when a blast bomb he was throwing at Springfield Road RUC Station exploded prematurely. Finbarr was on the blanket protest in Long Kesh for a long time. He played Gaelic football and was a great supporter of West Ham football team, which is represented by the badge on his square.
Square 7
Henry Corbett
3rd September 1979
Henry’s wife, Martha, answered a knock at the front door about midnight. One man burst in and shot Henry. Two men were at the back of the house. Henry died in his wife’s arms. The RUC/British army tore the house apart after the murder searching it. Henry was a much-loved father of 3 sons and he loved to play darts.
ROW 6
Left To Right:
Square 1
1. Kieran Abram
5th July 1992
Kieran was walking his dog in Northumberland St when it ran behind the barrier separating the two communities. There were a number of loyalists standing at the barrier and they attacked and murdered Kieran. Kieran’s much loved dog is represented on the square.
Square 2
Francis Nolan
6th November 1976
Gunmen broke into Francis Nolan’s home in Victoria Parade in North Belfast. A masked gunman on the upstairs landing confronted Francis’s wife Catherine. She ran back into the bedroom and her husband tried to block the door. The gunman fired into the room killing Francis. Catherine lost consciousness, and when she came to, she ran downstairs to her mum, Catherine O’Connor only to find that she had been stabbed to death. Francis was a compérè and liked to go out to nightclubs for a pint.
Square 3
Catherine O’ Connor
6th November 1976
After killing her son-in-law, Francis Nolan, two masked men stabbed Catherine (Cassie) to death. Cassie’s rosary beads were in her hand when she was murdered and there is a representation of them on the square. Cassie’s daughter Catherine ran out of the house with her two children.
Square 4
Betty O’Neill McDonald (SRN, SCN)
16th August 1976
Betty was the wife of Malachy McDonald, the publican who owned the “Step In Bar” and was one of two people killed when a ‘no warning ‘UVF car bomb exploded outside the bar in the border town of Keady. After putting her three children, aged 18 months, 4 years and 7 years, to bed she went downstairs and was serving in the lounge bar when the bomb exploded. Betty and Gerald McGleenan were killed instantly and 32 people were injured. Most of the bar and private quarters were demolished. The family lost everything and her husband and children had to borrow clothes to attend her funeral. The square is made from part of her nurse’s uniform. The hearts represent her husband and children. The roses represent her parents, brothers and sisters. The single fallen rose is Betty who sadly is no longer with us.
Square 5
Bernadette Hyndman
12th March 1972
Bernadette was shot during the 1972 ceasefire on her own doorstep in Abbysinna St Lower Falls. She was mistaken by the IRA for a member of the British army. Bernadette was killed on “Mothering Sunday”, leaving behind a much-loved little girl of 12 months called Elizabeth. Bernadette was a happy and loving person who prided herself on her ‘bee hive’ hairstyle, which is represented on her square by a beehive. Bernadette was a beautiful daughter, sister, wife, and a devoted mother, whose life was cut short on what should have been a happy Mother’s Day.
Square 6
Richard McCann
8th October 1975
Richard was shot by loyalists on 26th August 1975, while he was at work in a York Road garage but died on 8th October 1975 from his injuries. Three gunmen pulled up, and Richard shouted to his colleagues to run. The gunmen then shot him at point blank range with a double-barrelled shotgun. There were up to 400 pellet wounds in his body and he was on a life-support machine. 1 year later it was discovered that a different colleague had set him up to be murdered by the UVF.
Square 7
Hugh Martin
30th December 1972
Hugh worked for ‘Sunblest’ bakery on the Beersbridge Road, East Belfast. He was shot at 4.15a.m outside the bakery as he was leaving work after the night shift. He lived for his family of 3 girls and 2 boys. As a night shift worker, Hugh looked forward to the weekends and playing bingo. The family choose brown material for his square as brown was his favourite colour and put a baker’s hat on it, as he was a baker.
Row 7
Left To Right:
Square 1
Patrick Carty
25th June 1973
Paddy was a 26-year-old IRA member from Dungannon. He was one of three men killed when the bomb they were transporting exploded prematurely on the Omagh to Gortin Road. He loved hunting with Lurchers, so they are at the heart of his square.
Square 2
James (Josie) Joseph Connolly
6th February 1989
Josie died from injuries sustained in a premature explosion. He showed courage and true commitment on that night when, despite being fatally injured, he refused to give his name or address. His younger brother, Charlie also aged 20, pictured on the square, died a year later in San Francisco where he had moved to escape constant harassment and repeated death threats. He was tragically killed by a drunk driver. The square has been made on a Manchester United football jersey of Josie’s, the boxing gloves and Gaelic posts represent the brothers’ keen sportsmanship but also the goals Josie reached in his short life. He excelled at brick laying and became a tutor of his trade. The red and black are the colours of the Gaelic team he played for (St Eugene’s Castlederg) and his county side: Tyrone. Josie was an inspiration to us all and showed commitment to Ireland’s cause.
Square 3
Martin Patrick Skillen
3rd August 1974
Martin Patrick Skillen was a 2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Batt. “D” Coy. P.I.R.A.
Martin was the 4th child in a family of 15 children. His father chopped sticks, which Martin and his siblings sold to help the family make ends meet. Martin made the most money as he used an old pram, which he hid in a dentist’s house, to carry the bundles of sticks to customers he had lined up before he went out. Martin loved to fish in Alexander Park and the Waterworks using fishing net that cost one shilling (5p). He brought his ‘catch’ of tadpoles and spricks home in a jam jar to show to the rest of the family. Martin started to serve his time as a bricklayer and the first job he did was to build a wall for his mother. He and his mother were ‘over the moon’ when the wall turned out to be perfect as Martin had taken his time building it.Martin was mad about football and loved Leeds United Football Club while his brothers supported other teams such as Liverpool and Man Utd. When they played football on the street, Martin played goals so he could keep out the opposition against his side, Leeds. Martin had a personality second to none, and his smile for everyone won him many friends, young and old. He was very generous and would have given his last penny to anyone. “Remembering you is easy, Martin, we do it every day, missing you is the heartache that never goes away”.
Square 4
Mary Sheppard
23rd November 1974
Mary was the 41-year-old mother of 4 children. She was shot dead by UFF/UDA gunmen who walked into her husband’s taxi firm, ‘Arkle Taxis’ in Clifton St Belfast and shot her. Clyde Hutton was also killed by the gunmen in the same incident. The four roses on Mary’s square represent her four children.
Square 5
Dominic Marron
17th August 2004
An RUC member shot my husband Dominic in the head at close range in May 1981 when he was 14 years old. He suffered damaging head injuries that left him paralysed on the left side. In later years he developed heart problems. Dominic and I met in 1984 and married on 24th June 1989. We had two sons – Nicholas and Gary who like himself were avid Liverpool fans. Even though Dominic had only the use of one arm he developed great skill in playing snooker. Dominic was a funny character and was known by loads of people who would say “he was never without a can of Diet Coke”. Dominic lived a very happy life and was devoted to our two sons and me. However he campaigned against the use of plastic bullets with the help of Relatives for Justice in which he made many friends. Dominic’s own injuries meant he felt very strongly about the use of plastic bullets and he said many times “I would hate another child to be left like me”. Dominic always fought against his injuries and tried to live a normal life, but sadly he died of a massive heart attack on 17th August 2004. He left, me aged 36, Nicholas 13 yrs and Gary 9yrs, behind. We will always be proud of Dominic and have loads of funny and happy memories. I now think to myself ‘ wonder what the RUC man who shot Dominic is doing to-day, and the grief he has caused’. The most annoying thing is that he was never charged with the shooting of Dominic. I would like to thank Relatives for Justice, Clara Pauline, and Marie for the help and support they have given me in the last two years.
Square 6
Peter McGuinness
9th August 1981
Peter McGuinness was a beloved husband and father of 5 children who lived for his family. He played snooker and pool, loved Manchester United football club and was a blood donor. Peter was well liked and highly respected in the area and when rioting broke out he had gone out to try to calm the situation when he was hit by a plastic bullet.
Square 7
Sean Anderson
25th October 1991
Shot by a number of UVF gunmen as he drove down the lane way from his home at Loughbracken Road Pomeroy.
