This is a DRAFT (v3) of the chronology for the year
1996. In the final version of this chronology some links will
be provided to other CAIN material. Additional information in
the form of Abstracts of Organisations, Abstracts of Individuals,
a Bibliography, a Glossary, a List of Acronyms, etc., mentioned
in this chronology is available in the left-hand 'frame' of this
web page (you will require an up-to-date version of web browser
to view in frames).
This chronology has been compiled from a number of
sources.
Each entry contains information, where relevant, on the following topic areas:
Major security incidents
Political developments
Policy initiatives
Economic matters
Other relevant items
1996
JANUARY 1996
Monday 1 January 1996
Ian Lyons (AGE), was shot dead by the
group Direct Action Against Drugs (DAAD) in Lurgan. DAAD is considered
by many in Northern Ireland to be a cover name (pseudonym) used
by the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
Tuesday 9 January 1996
A debate opened in the House of Commons,
Westminster on the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill
which was drafted to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act and
the Emergency Provisions (Northern Ireland) Act. The Bill contained
a proposal on the videotaping of Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)
interviews.
Thursday 11 January 1996
The three members of the International
Body on Arms Decommissioning met John Major, the British Prime
Minister, in London.
Friday 12 January 1996
The three members of the International
Body on Arms Decommissioning met the Irish Government, and representatives
of Fianna Fáil (FF), Sinn Féin (SF), and the Social
Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in Dublin. The Irish Government
and the three parties stated their opposition to the idea of an
elected assembly to be based at Stormont that had been proposed
by David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
Sunday 14 January 1996
Sinn Féin (SF) again stated that
it thought the idea of a new elected assembly at Stormont was
a "non-runner".
Monday 15 January 1996
The British and Irish Governments and
the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) held a first tripartite
meeting. The three members of the International Body on Arms
Decommissioning met with Northern Ireland Office (NIO) ministers,
and representatives of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and Sinn
Féin (SF) in Belfast.
Wednesday 17 January 1996
The British and Irish Governments met
with Sinn Féin (SF) at Stormont. The meeting was for preparatory
talks. Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland,
and Dick Spring, the Tánaiste (deputy Irish Prime Minister
and Minister for Foreign Affairs), again said that all-party talks
would begin by the end of February 1996.
Wednesday 24 January 1996
The report of the International Body on
arms decommissioning (the Mitchell Report) was published (the
report is dated 22 January 1996) in Belfast. Included in the
report were six principles (the 'Mitchell Principles') by which
parties could enter into all-party talks and at the end of the
report there were a number of confidence building measures. The
main conclusion of the report was that decommissioning of paramilitary
arms should take place during all-party talks rather than before
or after as some parties wanted. The report was welcomed by the
Irish Government and opposition parties, the Social Democratic
and Labour Party (SDLP), and the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
(APNI). Sinn Féin (SF), the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP)
and the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) accepted the report as
a way forward. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) rejected the
report and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) expressed reservations.
In a move which surprised many observers John Major, the British
Prime Minister, ignored the main elements of the report and focused
on the "elective process" mentioned as one of a series
of confidence building measures. The UUP and the DUP welcomed
the proposed elections while the SDLP initially rejected the proposal.
The Irish Government accused the British of not consulting them
on the announcement. Relations between the two Governments were
soured for some days afterwards.
Sunday 28 January 1996
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) refused
to meet with the Irish Government as part of the 'twin-track'
negotiations.
Monday 29 January 1996
The Social Democratic and Labour Party
(SDLP), the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) and the Progressive
Unionist Party (PUP), held their first meeting under the 'twin-track'
negotiations.
Tuesday 30 January 1996
Gino Gallagher (AGE), believed to be the
Chief of Staff of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), was
shot dead in a Social Security Office in the Falls Road, Belfast.
This killing was to mark the beginning of another feud within
the INLA. This particular feud ended on 3 September 1996.
Gerry Adams, the President of Sinn Féin (SF), held a meeting
with Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland,
at Stormont. John Hume, the leader of the Social Democratic
and Labour Party (SDLP), met with John Major, the British Prime
Minister, in Downing Street, London.
FEBRUARY 1996
Thursday 1 February 1996
A large number of bullets were fired into
the home of a reserve member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary
(RUC). No group admitted responsibility. The Irish Times
newspaper ran a report that Sinn Féin (SF) was unhappy
with the final report from the Forumn for Peace and Reconciliation,
based in Dublin.
Sunday 4 February 1996
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) rejected
calls from the Irish Government for a start to negotiations.
George Mitchell, chair of the International Body on Arms Decommissioning,
said that there was a danger of an Irish Republican Army (IRA)
split if there was no movement to all-party talks.
Wednesday 7 February 1996
Dick Spring, the Tánaiste (deputy
Irish Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs), and Patrick
Mayhew, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, held a meeting
in Dublin. Dick Spring proposed the establishment of 'proximity'
style talks similar to those adopted at the Dayton, Ohio Negotiations
in the United States of America (USA) between warring groups from
Bosnia. The idea was rejected by unionist politicians.
Thursday 8 February 1996
Dick Spring, the Tánaiste (deputy
Irish Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs), traveled
to America for talks with Bill Clinton, the President of the United
States of America (USA). The European Court of Human Rights
found that aspects of the British Government's emergency legislation
in Northern Ireland infringed the European Convention on Human
Rights.
Friday 9 February 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded
a large bomb at South Quay in the Docklands area of London. The
lorry bomb killed two people, injured many more, caused millions
of pounds worth of damage, and marked the end of the IRA ceasefire
after 17 months and 9 days. A statement had been issued
by the IRA one hour before the explosion occurred at 7.01pm.
Saturday 10 February 1996
John Bruton, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime
Minister), announced that the Irish Government was breaking off
ministerial contact with Sinn Féin (SF) in the light of
the Irish Republican Army (IRA) bombing in London on 9 February
1996.
Tuesday 13 February 1996
John Major, the British Prime Minister,
met Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP),
for talks at Downing Street, London.
Thursday 15 February 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) left a
five pound Semtex bomb in a telephone kiosk in the Charing Cross
Road, London. Additional troops were flown into Northern Ireland
to be deployed in the border areas.
Friday 16 February 1996
There was a large peace rally at City
Hall, Belfast, and a number of smaller rallies at venues across
Northern Ireland.
Sunday 18 February 1996
Edward O'Brien (21), later claimed as
one of their members by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), was killed
by the premature explosion of the bomb he was carrying. The bomb
accidentally detonated in the bus he was traveling in as it passed
along Aldwych, London. A number of passengers were injured in
the explosion. David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster Unionist
Party (UUP), agreed to meet Dick Spring, the Tánaiste (deputy
Irish Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs), for discussions
based on a 'limited agenda'. Ronnie Flanagan was appointed
as Deputy Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
Tuesday 20 February 1996
John Major, the British Prime Minister,
held talks with David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster Unionist
Party (UUP), in Downing Street, London. Dick Spring, the Tánaiste
(deputy Irish Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs),
accepted the offer of talks (issued on 18 February 1996) with
David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
Wednesday 21 February 1996
An area of the centre of Belfast was evacuated
because of a bomb scare. It is the first bomb scare in Northern
Ireland since the Irish Republican Army (IRA) ceasefire. John
Hume, the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP),
and Gerry Adams, the President of Sinn Féin (SF), met with
members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) Council to discuss
the ending of the IRA ceasefire. The Ulster Unionist Party
(UUP) published a document outlining proposals for a 90 member
elected body to be based in Stormont, Belfast.
Sunday 25 February 1996
Rallies in support of peace were held
in a number of cities in Ireland and Britain.
Monday 26 February 1996
In a crucial vote at Westminster on the
Scott report (on shipments of arms to Iraq) the Ulster Unionist
Party (UUP), the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), and
the United Kingdom Unionist (UKU) member voted against the Government.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) abstained. The Government
won the debate by one vote.
Wednesday 28 February 1996
John Major, the British Prime Minister,
and John Bruton, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), held a
summit meeting in London. The two Governments set a date (10
June 1996) for the start of all-party talks. It was announced
that parties to the talks would have to agree to abide by the
six 'Mitchell Principles' and there would be a period of 'proximity'
talks to decide on an agenda and the administration of the process.
Thursday 29 February 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) issued
a statement following talks between John Hume, the leader
of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), Gerry Adams,
the President of Sinn Féin (SF), and representatives of
the IRA.
MARCH 1996
Saturday 2 March 1996
David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster
Unionist Party (UUP), and Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic
Unionist Party (DUP), said they would not attend the 'proximity'
talks at Stormont.
Monday 4 March 1996
Launch of a period of intensive consultations
between the Northern Ireland political parties at Stormont. The
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and the Democratic Unionist Party
(DUP) refused to join these 'proximity' talks. Sinn Féin
(SF) were refused entry to the talks. Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary
of State for Northern Ireland, and Dick Spring, the Tánaiste
(deputy Irish Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs),
met a number of the other parties.
Friday 8 March 1996
David Cook, the then chairman of the Police
Authority of Northern Ireland, and Chris Ryder, a Police Authority
member, were both dismissed from their positions on the Authority
by Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
The two men had earlier lost a vote of confidence.
Saturday 9 March 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) later admitted responsibility
for a small 'improvised device' which exploded in Old Brompton
Road, London. The explosion caused no injuries and only minor
damage.
Monday 11 March 1996
David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster
Unionist Party (UUP), met with the leaders of the Irish Coalition
Government in Dublin.
Wednesday 20 March 1996
Dick Spring, the Tánaiste (deputy
Irish Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs), had a
briefing with Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary of State for Northern
Ireland, on plans for elections in Northern Ireland. Dick Spring
refused to publicly support the plans.
Thursday 21 March 1996
John Major, the British Prime Minister,
announced details of elections to be held on 30 May 1996. The
elections were designed to decide which parties would take part
in all-party negotiations on 10 June 1996. The elections were
also to elect delegates to the proposed Forumn. The Forumn was
to be made up of 110 delegates, 90 elected directly and 20 'top-up'
seats from the 10 parties polling the most votes. The Social
Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Sinn Féin (SF) both
criticised the proposals.
Friday 22 March 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) stated
that there was little prospect for a renewed ceasefire. The
Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) announced an end to its
ceasefire ??.
Saturday 23 March 1996
Sinn Féin (SF) Árd Fheis
began in Ambassador Cinema in Dublin. A SF decision on taking
part in the 30 May 1996 elections was left for the party's Ard
Chomhairle to make.
Tuesday 26 March 1996
The Police Authority published its Consultation
Report. The parts of the report dealing with the Royal Ulster
Constabulary (RUC) recommended no change to the name, uniform,
or oath of allegiance to the Crown. It was suggested that letterheads
used by the RUC should include the adjunct, Northern Ireland's
Police Service. David Cook, who had been sacked from the Police
Authority on 8 March 1996, claimed that the report had been "watered
down".
Friday 29 March 1996
The Forumn for Peace and Reconciliation
in Dublin was suspended until a new Irish Republican Army (IRA)
ceasefire has been established.
Saturday 30 March 1996
Jim McDonnell (36), a prisoner at Maghaberry
Prison, was found dead of a 'heart attack'. It was later revealed
that he had a series of injuries, including 11 broken ribs, which
the Prison Service said was a result of a fall or the attempts
at resuscitation.
APRIL 1996
Monday 1 April 1996
A consultation paper was issued
by the British Government which listed 15 parties entitled to
take part in the 30 May 1996 elections. There was a series of
concerns about a number of groups and individuals who were not
included on the list. The list was increased to 30 on 16 April
1996.
Tuesday 2 April 1996
Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, introduced
new emergency legislation to give the police the right to 'stop
and search' suspected members of paramilitary groups.
Wednesday 3 April 1996
Ron Brown, the United States of America
Commerce Secretary was killed in a plane crash in Croatia. Ron
Brown had been involved in measures to increase American investment
in Northern Ireland.
Saturday 6 April 1996
Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary of State
for Northern Ireland, said that the Irish Republican Army was
"out of a touch" with the wishes of Irish People.
Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), celebrated
his 70th birthday and stated his intention to continue as leader
of the DUP and the Free Presbyterian Church.
Sunday 7 April 1996 (Easter Sunday)
Republicans hold a series of rallies to commemorate
the Easter Rising of 1916. Gerry Adams, the President of Sinn
Féin (SF), addresses a rally in the Bogside, Derry. The
Irish Republican Army (IRA) issued an 'Easter statement' which
did not mention a renewed ceasefire.
Monday 8 April 1996
There was violence following an Apprentice
Boys organisation protest at the banning of their march through
the Lower Ormeau Road, Belfast.
Friday 12 April 1996
The 26th annual conference of the Alliance
Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) opened in Belfast.
Saturday 13 April 1996
John Alderdice, the leader of the Alliance
Party of Northern Ireland (APNI), addressed his party conference
in Belfast.
Tuesday 16 April 1996
British government publishes draft legislation
(in the form of a 'Command Paper') for the proposed elections
in Northern Ireland on 30 May 1996. The proposals lead to a period
of debate before the legislation is rushed through parliament
on 18 April 1996. The number of parties entitled to stand in
the elections was increased from the original 15 to 30, however
the list still excluded the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP).
Wednesday 17 April 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded
a bomb in The Boltons, Earls Court, London. The bomb went off
in a vacant house and there were no injuries.
Thursday 18 April 1996
Although the Unionist parties and the
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) oppose aspects of the
legislation, the Northern Ireland (Entry to Negotiations) Bill
was passed at Westminster. The names of the 30 parties and individuals
who will appear on the ballot paper for the Northern Ireland election
were published in the Bill.
Saturday 20 April 1996
It is believed that John Major, the British
Prime Minister, and Bill Clinton, President of the United States
of America (USA), discussed the 'Peace Process' at a summit in
Moscow. A Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) report shows that
poverty in Northern Ireland continues to be the highest in the
United Kingdom (UK).
Sunday 21 April 1996
Bertie Ahern, the leader of Fianna Fáil,
criticised the Irish government's approach to Northern Ireland.
He placed some of the blame for the ending of the Irish Republican
Army's (IRA) ceasefire on John Bruton, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime
Minister). The criticism places strain on the bipartisan approach
to Northern Ireland in the Dáil.
Wednesday 24 April 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) planted
two bombs at Hammersmith Bridge, London. The bombs contained
30 pounds of Semtex and although the detonators went off the main
charges failed to explode. There were no injuries and no damage
was caused. There were claims, in a Channel 4 Dispatches
programme, that the British Government had sanctioned secret talks
with Sinn Féin (SF) which began in 1990. Patrick Mayhew,
the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, denied the claims
and stated that talks only began in 1993.
Friday 26 April 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) accepted
responsibility for the bomb at Hammersmith Bridge, London (Thursday
25 April 1996). Jim Nicholoson, Chairman of the Ulster Unionist
Party (UUP), stepped down as UUP Chairman. Dennis Rogan, Vice-Chairman
of the UUP, succeeded him.
Sunday 28 April 1996
Michael Ancram, the Political Development
minister at the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), said that the Irish
Republican Army (IRA) must restore its ceasefire and Sinn Féin
(SF) must agree to be bound by the six 'Mitchell Principles' before
it could join all-party talks. The Royal Ulster Constabulary
(RUC) stopped a group of Orangemen from marching through the lower
Ormeau Road in Belfast. This decision led to a two-hour stand-off.
Monday 29 April 1996
Dick Spring, the Tánaiste (deputy
Irish Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs), made a
proposal that the issue of decommissioning should become a 'fourth
strand' in the proposed all-party talks.
Tuesday 30 April 1996
In response to Dick Spring's suggestion
of 29 April 1996, unionist politicians accuse the Irish Government
of trying to "appease" the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
MAY 1996
Wednesday 1 May 1996
A White Paper was published on
the future of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
Thursday 2 May 1996
Conor Cruise O'Brien, formally an Irish
Labour Party Minister, announced that he would stand in the forth-coming
Northern Ireland elections on behalf of the United Kingdom Unionists
(UKU).
Sunday 5 May 1996
A coded warning in the name of the Ulster
Volunteer Force (UVF) is issued stating that two bombs have been
planted in Dublin. A suspect car at Dublin Airport is blown-up
in the following security operation.
Thursday 9 May 1996
Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, agreed
to the transfer of Patrick Kelly, an Irish Republican Army (IRA)
prisoner, from Maghaberry Prison in Northern Ireland to Portlaoise
Prison in the Republic of Ireland.
Friday 10 May 1996
Following protests Ian Paisley, leader
of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), was told that his name
would be added to his party's name in the forth-coming elections.
Thursday 16 May 1996
John Major, the British Prime Minister, said, in an Irish Times
article, that arms decommissioning would have to be addressed
at the start of talks.
Sunday 19 May 1996
Geoffrey Anderson, a Royal Irish Regiment soldier, killed two
people and injured a third before committing suicide. There
was a confrontation between the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)
and nationalists in the village of Dunloy, County Antrim, during
an Apprentice Boys of Derry march.
Monday 20 May 1996
Gerry Adams, the President of Sinn Féin
(SF), said that SF was prepared to accept the six 'Mitchell Principles'
if the other parties agreed to them.
Tuesday 21 May 1996
Hugh Annesley, the Chief Constable of
the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), announced that he would retire
later in the year.
Saturday 25 May 1996
Dessie McCleery, a member of the Irish
National Liberation Army (INLA) 'GHQ' faction, was shot dead in
central Belfast. The killing was part of a continuing INLA feud.
Tuesday 28 May 1996
Dick Spring, the Tánaiste (deputy Irish Prime
Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs), met Patrick Mayhew,
the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in Dublin after which
they announced that George Mitchell, a former United States Senator,
should play a key role in the proposed all-party talks.
Thursday 30 May 1996
Elections to the proposed Northern Ireland
Forumn and all-party negotiations were held across Northern Ireland.
The most significant outcome was that Sinn Féin (SF) attracted
a record vote of 15.5%. RESULTS: Turnout - 64.7%, 754,296; Ulster
Unionist Party (UUP) - 30 seats, 24.2%; Social Democratic and
Labour Party (SDLP) - 21 seats, 21.4%; Democratic Unionist Party
(DUP) - 24 seats, 21.4%; Sinn Féin (SF) - 17 seats, 15.5%;
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) - 7 seats, 6.5%; United
Kingdom Unionists (UKU) - 3 seats, 3.7%; Progressive Unionist
Party (PUP) - 2 seats, 3.5%; Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) - 2
seats, 2.2%; Northern Ireland Women's Coalition (NIWC) - 2 seats,
1.0%; Labour - 2 seats, 0.8%.
JUNE 1996
Tuesday 4 June 1996
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) invited nine political parties
to attend talks at Stormont. Sinn Féin (SF) were not invited
to the talks. Mary Robinson, the President of the Republic
of Ireland, began the first official state visit to Britain by
an Irish Head of State.
Wednesday 5 June 1996
Following three days of talks the British
and Irish Governments agreed ground rules for all-party
talks. The three members of the International Body on Arms Decommissioning,
George Mitchell, John de Chastelain, and Harri Holkeri, were to
chair various strands of the proposed talks. The Irish Republican
Army (IRA) issued a statement that a new ceasefire was
"remote in the extreme".
Friday 7 June 1996
Jerry McCabe, a Detective in Garda Síochána
(the Irish police service), is shot dead during a post office
robbery in Adare, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland. Suspicion
for the killing fell on members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA)
who later admitted responsibility.
Sunday 9 June 1996
Fra Shannon, a member of the Irish National
Liberation Army (INLA) 'GHQ' faction, was shot dead in west Belfast
in a continuing INLA feud.
Monday 10 June 1996
All-party negotiations (hereafter referred
to as the 'Stormont talks') began in Stormont, Belfast. The talks
began with opposition from the unionist parties to the extent
of the role to be played by the chair George Mitchell. John Major,
the British Prime Minister, and John Bruton, the Taoiseach (Irish
Prime Minister), gave a joint press conference and indicated their
support for George Mitchell. Sinn Féin (SF) were refused
entry to the talks and the two governments issued a statement
on the decision to exclude SF.
Tuesday 11 June 1996
The second day of the Stormont talks were
again spent in argument over the appointment of George Mitchell
as chair and the extent of his "over-arching" role.
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) agreed to a compromise which
reduced the role of George Mitchell but which let talks proceed.
Friday 14 June 1996
The Northern Ireland Forumn met for the
first time in Belfast. Sinn Féin was excluded because
of the absence of an Irish Republican Army (IRA) ceasefire. There
are objections by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the
United Kingdom Unionists (UKU) to the appointment of John Gorman,
a Catholic Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) delegate, to the chair
of the Forumn.
Saturday 15 June 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded
a bomb in Manchester, which destroyed a large part of the city
centre and injured 200 people. The bomb was estimated to have
contained one-and-a-half tonnes of home-made explosives. Although
a warning of one hour and twenty minutes was received by a local
television station injuries were still caused by the sheer scale
of the explosion. In response to the Manchester bomb the Ulster
Freedom Fighters (UFF) announced that it was putting its members
'on alert'. Niall Donovan (28), a Catholic man, was stabbed
to death near Dungannon, County Tyrone.
Tuesday 18 June 1996
Parts of the centre of Dublin were evacuated
in a bomb hoax which was supposed to have been made by the Ulster
Freedom Fighters (UFF).
Wednesday 19 June 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) issued
a statement. In the statement they said: "We are
still prepared to enhance the democratic peace process".
Thursday 20 June 1996
An Irish Republican Army (IRA) 'bomb factory'
was found by Gardí near Clonasee, County Laois, Republic
of Ireland. In response the Irish Government ended all contacts
with Sinn Féin (SF).
Friday 21 June 1996
Hundreds of Royal Ulster Constabulary
(RUC) officers escorted an Orange march through north Belfast.
There were riots following the parade in catholic areas of Belfast.
Gareth Parker (23), a Catholic man, died following a beating
he received near the Shaftesbury Inn in north Belfast.
Wednesday 26 June 1996
David Trimble, leader of the Ulster Unionist
Party (UUP), admitted bringing pressure to bear on the Director
of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Royal Ulster Constabulary
(RUC) over the events on the Garvaghy Road in 1995. Trimble had
pressed for prosecutions against the leaders of the Garvaghy Road
residents who had opposed the 1995 Drumcree Orange march. Prosecutions
were dismissed. Veronica Guerin, an investigative journalist
in Dublin, was shot dead near to Dublin.
Thursday 27 June 1996
Gardí in the Republic of Ireland
recover 100 pounds of home-made explosives at Clones, County Monaghan.
Friday 28 June 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched
an attack at a British Army barracks in Osnabreuck, Germany.
Three mortars were fired in the attack but there were no injuries.
Several buildings were damaged.
Sunday 30 June 1996
The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) rerouted
a parade from passing through the lower Ormeau Road.
JULY 1996
Sunday 7 July 1996
The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) prevented
a march by Portadown Orangemen from returning from Drumcree Church
via the Garvaghy Road. The decision was taken by Sir Hugh Annesley,
the Chief Constable of the RUC. The reason given for the decision
was to prevent public disorder but the result was to mark the
start of Northern Ireland wide protests. Protests and roadblocks
began to spread across Northern Ireland. Michael McGoldrick
(31), a Catholic man, was shot dead outside Lurgan. The attack
bore the hallmarks of a paramilitary killing but no group claimed
responsibility. Suspicion for the killing fell on a 'maverick
group' from the mid-Ulster brigade of the Ulster Volunteer Force
(UVF).
Monday 8 July 1996
Many aspects of life in Northern Ireland
were disrupted as protests were mounted across the region in support
of the Drumcree Orangemen. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)
fired plastic bullets to control protesting crowds in Drumcree
(Portadown), Sandy Row (Belfast) and Ballymena. At the multi-party
talks in Stormont, Belfast the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the United Kingdom Unionists
(UKU) all pulled out of the talks in protest at the decision of
the RUC to prevent the march at Drumcree. "Fire and brimstone"
speeches by unionist politicians were claimed by the McGoldrick
family to be partly to blame for their son's death on 7 July 1996.
Tuesday 9 July 1996
The British government sent an extra 1,000
troops to Northern Ireland to support the Royal Ulster Constabulary
(RUC). The resources of the RUC were seriously stretched across
Northern Ireland. Hundreds of roads, including motorways, were
blocked by members of the Orange Order and loyalist supporters.
Several Catholic families felt sufficiently intimidated to leave
their homes in the Torrens area of Belfast. Gunshots were also
reported in north Belfast. Leaders of the main Unionist parties
meet with John Major, the British Prime Minister, in Downing Street,
London.
Wednesday 10 July 1996
Many towns and villages across Northern
Ireland were blocked, either completely or for considerable periods
during the day. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) reported
that since Sunday (7 July 1996) there had been: 90 civilians
and 50 RUC officers injured; 156 arrests; over 100 incidents of
intimidation; 758 attacks on the RUC; and 662 plastic baton rounds
fired by the RUC.
Thursday 11 July 1996
Hugh Annesley, the Chief Constable of
the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), reversed his decision and
ordered his officers to allow the Orange march to pass along the
Garvaghy Road in Portadown. 1,200 Orangemen were allowed to proceed
down the Garvaghy Road. Protesting residents were forced off
the road. Rioting broke out in the Catholic housing estate and
was followed by serious rioting in other nationalist areas including
Armagh, Belfast, Derry and Lurgan. Three RUC officers were injured
by gunfire in north Belfast. There was widespread condemnation
of the decision in nationalist circles with many political and
community leaders claiming there had been a surrender to the threat
of physical force.
Friday 12 July 1996
Ballynafeigh Orangemen were allowed to
march through the Catholic lower Ormeau Road area of Belfast.
There was continuing rioting in nationalist areas. Dermot McShane
(35), a Catholic man, was killed when he was run over by a British
Army armoured car in Little James Street, Derry. It was estimated
that 1,000 petrol bombs were thrown and 1,000 plastic bullets
were fired in Derry. John Bruton, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister),
criticised the decision to allow the Orange march to proceed on
the Garvaghy Road. He accused the British government of yielding
to force and the threat of force.
Saturday 13 July 1996
A car bomb exploded outside the Kilyhelvin
Hotel, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, causing substantial damage.
The bomb was estimated to have contained 1,200 pounds of home-made
explosive and the large blast injured 17 people as they were being
evacuated from the hotel. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) denied
responsibility for the bomb as did Republican Sinn Féin
(RSF). Security sources placed the blame for the attack on the
Irish Republican National Army (IRNA) considered to be the military
wing of RSF. A group calling itself the Irish Continuity Army
Council later claimed responsibility for the bomb. There were
further riots in nationalist areas. The Social Democratic and
Labour Party announced that it would withdraw from the Northern
Ireland Forumn.
Sunday 14 July 1996
Nationalists held large rallies in Belfast,
Derry and Lurgan.
Monday 15 July 1996
In a series of raids the London Metropolitan
Police found components for making bombs at a number of addresses
in Tooting and Peckham, London. The police speculated that the
equipment would have been used in bomb attacks on utility installations
in London and the south-east of England. Seven men were arrested
in the raids, and a man and a woman were later arrested in Birmingham.
It was revealed in a television programme (BBC's Panorama)
that David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP),
had held a meeting during the Drumcree stand-off with Billy Wright,
a leading loyalist in Portadown. The Social Democratic and Labour
Party (SDLP) accused David Trimble of being in breach of the Mitchell
principles. Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary of State for Northern
Ireland, announced the setting up of a committee to review parades
in Northern Ireland (the Independent Review of Parades and Marches).
Wednesday 17 July 1996
The mayor of Derry, Richard Dallas, was
stripped of the use of council facilities because of his part
in an Orange roadblock on the Craigavon Bridge in the city.
Friday 19 July 1996
Eight men were remanded in custody after
appearing on charges of conspiring to cause explosions. The men
were arrested on 15 July 1996. At a meeting between Hugh Annesley,
the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), and
the Police Authority of Northern Ireland, a motion of no-confidence
in Hugh Annesley was dropped.
Monday 22 July 1996
Delegations from the Progressive Unionist
Party (PUP) and the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) met with John
Major, the British Prime Minister, in Downing Street, London.
Monday 29 July 1996
Agreement on procedures for talks was
reached at the Stormont talks. There was no movement on the setting
of the agenda for substantive talks.
Wednesday 31 July 1966
Dr Peter North, a vice-chancellor at Oxford and a
Queen's Council, was appointed to head the Independent Review
of Parades and Marches. Later the Rev. Dr John Dunlop and Father
Oliver Crilly were also appointed to the body.
AUGUST 1996
Friday 2 August 1996
In a statement the Ulster Volunteer Force
(UVF) announced that the Portadown unit of the Mid-Ulster Brigade
was to disband. The statement also said that activities of the
Portadown unit would be investigated. Sinn Féin denied
organising boycotts of Protestant businesses in rural areas of
Northern Ireland. Since the stand-off at Drumcree some nationalists
had been boycotting Protestant businesses in Armagh, Castlederg,
Lisnaskea, Omagh and Pomery. Nationalists claimed that the business
people had taken part in Orange roadblocks during the stand-off.
Monday 5 August 1996
A meeting between the Apprentice Boys
of Derry and the Bogside Residents Association ended without agreement
about the march due to take place on 10 August 1996. A series
of meetings between the two groups had been chaired by the local
Member of Parliament John Hume, the leader of the Social Democratic
and Labour Party (SDLP).
Wednesday 7 August 1996
Patrick Mayhew, the Secretary of State
for Northern Ireland, ordered that the contentious part of the
Derry walls, a section overlooking the Bogside area, be closed
off for a month. This effectively banned the proposed march on
10 August 1996. Immediately after the decision the British Army
moved to seal off the section of walls. Gardí in the
Republic of Ireland discover a rocket launcher and ammunition
in the Fane River near Dundalk, County Louth.
Saturday 10 August 1996
In a decision taken during the morning
the Apprentice Boys of Derry organisation decided not to try to
walk along the section of closed-off Derry walls. The main parade
through the centre of the city went ahead as planned. Contentious
parades in Newtownbutler and Roslea, County Fermanagh went ahead
after compromises were reached with local residents. There was
trouble in Dunloy, County Derry, when a large group of Apprentice
Boys tried to parade through the village. John Molloy (18),
a Catholic man, was stabbed to death in Belfast.
Sunday 11 August 1996
In Bellaghy, County Derry, residents blocked
a parade by members of the Royal Black Institution. A compromise
was eventually reached which ended a 20 hour stand-off.
Monday 12 August 1996
Four Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers
were suspended for taking part in Orange parades.
Thursday 15 August 1996
The Police Authority of Northern Ireland
estimated a cost of £10 million for police overtime during
and after the Drumcree standoff.
Monday 19 August 1996
Jimmy Smith, one of those who had escaped
from the Maze prison in 1983, was extradited from the United States
of America.
Tuesday 20 August 1996
John Alderdice, the leader of the Alliance
Party of Northern Ireland (APNI), was awarded a life peerage to
the House of Lords. His name had been sponsored by the Liberal
Democrats.
Wednesday 28 August 1996
The Combined Loyalist Military Command
(CLMC), an umbrella group for loyalist paramilitaries, issued
a statement ordering Billy Wright and Alex Kerr (both leading
Loyalists figures from Portadown, County Armagh) to leave Northern
Ireland or face "summary justice". Mr Kerr was in custody
when the threat was issued but Mr Wright said he would defy the
order.
Friday 30 August 1996
Following a series of interviews the Police
Authority of Northern Ireland announced that Ronnie Flanagan was
to be appointed as the new Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Chief
Constable. Ronnie Flanagan takes over from Hugh Annesley in November
1996.
SEPTEMBER 1996
Sunday 1 September 1996
Billy Wright, a leading Loyalist who had
been ordered to leave Northern Ireland by the Combined Loyalist
Military Command (CLMC) on 28 August 1996, addressed a group of
supporters at midnight; the time of the deadline set by the CLMC.
A bomb was thrown through the window of the home of Alex Kerr's
parents (Alex Kerr was also under threat from the CLMC but was
in police custody at the time of the attack). There were no injuries
as a result of the bombing. A series of Orange marches were
rerouted in Dunloy, Newry, lower Ormeau Road, Pomeroy, and Strabane.
Monday 2 September 1996
There were sectarian clashes between residents
in the Mountcollyer Street and Duncairn Gardens areas of Belfast
and British troops were deployed in support of the police.
Tuesday 3 September 1996
Hugh Torney, believed to be the former
Chief of Staff of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), was
shot dead in Lurgan. This killing was part of feud that had begun
on 30 January 1996 with the killing of Gino Gallagher. (Hugh
Torney's faction later disbanded on 9 September 1996.)
Wednesday 4 September 1996
There was a rally in Portadown, County
Armagh, in support of Billy Wright and Alex Kerr. The rally was
addressed by William McCrea, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Member
of Parliament.
Friday 6 September 1996
The Forumn met for business after a break
for the summer. The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)
and Sinn Féin (SF) did not attend.
Sunday 8 September 1996
An Orange parade in Dunloy, County Antrim
was rerouted by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). In protest
at this decision the Orangemen held a short stand-off at a police
line.
Monday 9 September 1996
The 'General Head Quarters' (GHQ) faction
of the Irish National Liberation Army announced that the group
was disbanding. This decision followed the killing of Hugh Torney
on 3 September 1996. This marked the ending of a feud within
the INLA which started with the killing of Gino Gallagher on 30
January 1996. This latest feud had claimed six lives. The
Stormont talks resumed after a break during the summer. The Democratic
Unionist Party (DUP) and the United Kingdom Unionists brought
a complaint against the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and the
Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) for breach of the 'Mitchell Principles'
because of their failure to condemn threats made against Billy
Wright and Alex Kerr; both Loyalists from Portadown, County Armagh.
The Irish Times newspaper published the results of a poll one
of the results of which showed that two-thirds of people in Northern
Ireland thought the Stormont talks would fail.
Tuesday 10 September 1996
The two governments, British and Irish,
decided that the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and the Ulster
Democratic Party (UDP) were not in breach of the 'Mitchell Principles'
and therefore could remain in the talks at Stormont.
Wednesday 11 September 1996
John Bruton, the Taoiseach (Irish Prime
Minister), addressed a joint session of the United States Congress.
His address was upbeat and optimistic about the prospects for
progress in the all-party talks and also the possibility of a
new Irish Republican Army (IRA) ceasefire.
Thursday 12 September 1996
Mary Robinson, the President of the Republic
of Ireland, had a number of engagements in Belfast. There were
protests at one of the venues, a women's centre on the Donegal
Road, and the centre was later badly damaged in an arson attack.
Michael Whelan (35), a Catholic man, was discovered
beaten to death in the lower Ormeau area of Belfast. The Royal
Ulster Constabulary (RUC) later said the motive for the killing
was sectarian.
Friday 13 September 1996
British Government Ministers were reportedly
warned that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) were ready to launch
a renewed bombing campaign in Britain.
Sunday 15 September 1996
There was media speculation that the Irish
Republican Army (IRA) was about to call a permanent ceasefire,
but this was rejected by republican representatives. There
were a series of pickets by loyalists outside Catholic chapels
in Ballymena, Bushmills and Dervock, all in County Antrim. A
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor, David McAllister,
said the pickets were a response to the rerouting of Orange parades
and the boycott of Protestant businesses by Catholics. The protests
were widely condemned. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)
arrested three men in connection with the murder of Michael Whelan
(35) on 12 September 1996.
Monday 16 September 1996
Seán Devlin (30), a Catholic man,
was shot dead in the Markets area of Belfast. Responsibility
for the killing was later claimed by Direct Action Against Drugs
(DAAD) which is believed by many people to be a cover name used
by the Irish Republican Army (IRA). In the Stormont talks the
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) brought a complaint
against the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and the Democratic Unionist
Party (DUP) that their actions during the 'Drumcree standoff'
(7 July 1996 to 11 July 1996) were a breach of the 'Mitchell Principles'.
The Alliance Party also complained of the attendance of William
McCrea (DUP Member of Parliament) at a rally in support of Billy
Wright (a prominent Loyalist) in Portadown, County Armagh.
Monday 23 September 1996
Diarmuid O'Neill (AGE) (later confirmed
as a member of the Irish Republican Army; IRA) was shot dead in
raids by security service personnel. In the security operation
several people were arrested and bomb-making material recovered.
Ten tonnes of home-made explosives, two pounds of Semtex, rifles
and other bomb equipment were recovered. Initial reports of the
arrest operation suggested that there had been a 'shoot-out' but
it was later revealed that Mr O'Neill was unarmed at the time
of the shooting.
Sunday 29 September 1996
A 250 pound car bomb made of home-made
explosives was abandoned in Belfast. Security forces used a controlled
explosion to make the bomb safe. The Irish Continuity Army Council
later claimed responsibility for the bomb.
OCTOBER 1996
Monday 7 October 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) exploded
two bombs in the British Army Headquarters, Thiepval Barracks,
Lisburn, County Antrim (responsibility for the bombs was claimed
on 8 October 1996). 31 people were injured, four seriously, in
the attack. (Warrant Officer James Bradwell (43) died four days
later (11 October) of injuries received in the blasts). The bombs
were each estimated to have contained 800 pounds of home-made
explosive. The car bombs were smuggled into what is considered
to be the top security base in Northern Ireland. The bombs were
the first attack against the security forces in Northern Ireland
by the IRA since their ceasefire on 31 August 1994.
The bombing coincided with the start of the Conservative
Party conference in Bournemouth, and a meeting between loyalist
prisoners and representatives of the Progressive Unionist Party
(PUP) in the Maze Prison.
Tuesday 8 October 1996
In a statement issued from Dublin the
Irish Republican Army (IRA) admitted responsibility for the bombs
in Lisburn, County Antrim, on 7 October 1996.
Wednesday 9 October 1996
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) issued
a statement stating that Diarmuid O'Neill (AGE), who was shot
dead by British security personnel in London on 23 September 1996,
was one of their volunteers.
Friday 11 October 1996
Warrant Officer James Bradwell (43) died
of injuries received during the Irish Republic Army (IRA) bombing
of the British Army Barracks on Monday 7 October 1996. There
were reports in the Northern Ireland media that the Combined Loyalist
Military Command (CLMC) had met during the day to consider their
response to the IRA bombing. At the Conservative Party conference
in Bournemouth, John Major, the British Prime Minister, told delegates
that the IRA would not bomb its way into the Stormont talks.
About 1,000 people attended a peace rally organised by Women
Together outside the City Hall in Belfast.
Saturday 12 October 1996
The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) held
its annual conference. Leaders of the PUP appealed to the loyalist
paramilitary groups to maintain their ceasefire. Gerry Adams,
the President of Sinn Féin (SF), warned that Northern Ireland
was on the edge of an abyss and called for talks that would include
SF.
NOVEMBER 1996
DECEMBER 1996