Latest news with #HarrisBoyle
BBC News
31-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Miami Showband survivor has no problem with controversial parade
A musician who survived the Miami Showband killings has said he has "no problem" with a controversial loyalist band parade that will commemorate one of the attackers, although he wishes people would "move on". Three band members were killed when their tour bus was ambushed by loyalist paramilitaries in a bomb and gun attack near Newry in July 1975. Des Lee said those participating in the parade are "entitled to commemorate their dead as much as we entitled to commemorate ours".However, some politicians have said the parade "risks stepping over the line into the glorification of terrorism". Mr Lee told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme people in Northern Ireland should prioritise "giving our grandkids and their kids of the future a better Northern Ireland for everybody"."It's fifty years, must we continue with the childish things that are occurring all around us on all sides?"Mr Lee said his philosophy in life is to "forgive, forget and move on"."I don't hold any grudge. What happened to my friends was appalling, but I don't want to live for the rest of my life living in the past," he said."I have got to look forward to the future." Harris Boyle was known as one of the attackers of the Miami Showband murders in July parade route is listed on the Parades Commissions website as starting at Levaghery Orange Hall, however, the Orange Order has said it's not a parade it has sanctioned. "I look back and reflect on it now, I cannot believe how lucky I was", Mr Lee said."Because when we were asked to get out of the van, I was on the far left of the line. "I asked the guys if I could take my saxophone out of the van and put it on the road. "I ended up on the far right of the line."This new position meant that, when the bomb prematurely exploded, Mr Lee Lee pretended he was dead following the explosion, holding his breath and staying prone on the he stood up, he said the sight in front of him was "the most horrendous scene" he had ever witnessed. "There were bits of bodies all over the place. I would never wish anybody to see that in their lives. It was absolutely horrendous. "I remember every single thing in the finest detail, and I never want to forget it."Mr Lee said that despite the tensions of the time, the band never had any problems when it came to religion. "There were two protestants in our band. Our job was to entertain people, and that's what we did." Criticism of Legacy Act Mr Lee is critical of the controversial Legacy Act, which ended 38 inquests which had not reached their final stages by 1 May said the British government is doing a "dreadful job"."They're trying to push all the families under the carpet and hope that it all goes away."I pity these poor families because it's not going to be an easy road for them."Mr Lee said he would "beg" Mr Benn to "do the right thing" and tell the families of victims "the absolute truth". Survivors and relatives of those killed in the Miami Showband attack received close to £1.5m in damages after they sued the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).A concert is being held in Dublin later this year to mark 50 years since the attack. What was the Miami Showband attack? The bomb and gun attack happened as the band, which toured across Ireland, travelled home to Dublin after a gig in minibus was stopped by a fake army checkpoint which had been mounted by a group of men from the Ulster Volunteer Force, including two soldiers from the Ulster Defence Boyle was killed when the bomb which was placed on the Miami Showband bus exploded gang then opened fire, murdering singer Fran O'Toole, guitarist Tony Geraghty and trumpeter Brian Lee and another band member, Stephen Travers, were injured but bomb also killed Wesley Somerville who was commemorated in April at a memorial parade in Moygashel in County Tyrone.
BBC News
28-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Parade risks 'glorification of terrorism'
A controversial band parade that "risks stepping over the line into the glorification of terrorism" is due to take place this weekend in Portadown, County Bann MLA Eoin Tennyson was speaking as more than 400 people and 15 bands are expected to take part in the event billed as the Harris Boyle 50th Anniversary Memorial parade on Boyle was known as one of the attackers of the Miami Showband murders in July deputy leader Tennyson added: "Victims should be at the heart of any discussion we're having about celebrations, commemorations and speaking about our past." The parade route is listed on the Parades Commissions website as starting at Levaghery Orange Hall, however, the Orange Order has said it's not a parade it has on The Nolan Show, Tennyson said: "To commemorate and celebrate in this public way is entirely inappropriate and I think it is absolutely wrong."Tennyson said that should apply to both sections of loyalism and republicanism. DUP MP Sammy Wilson told Talkback that while he doesn't know what the "intentions" of the parade organisers are, "I don't believe that we should be, in any way, trying to glorify the terrorist acts of the past". 'Failed to deal with NI's past' Former DUP special advisor, David Graham said there is no doubt that this was an "incredibly tragic event and a needless act of violence".Mr Graham said: "We have failed to deal with the past in Northern Ireland, it is on all of us in a way."He said there are members of the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist (PUL) community who feel like their identity is "constantly under attack" and this was a way for those people to protect and defend their said the commemoration is "not something that I agree with".However, he said the first minister has said in unequivocal terms that there was no alternative in her view to the violence of the past, "there are many people not just in the PUL community, who will simply say, what's good for the goose is good for the gander". Former Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy said the first minister's previous comments about violence in the past should be taken "in context".Mr Molloy added: "We don't have a proper way for remembering the dead and everyone has a right to remember their dead."But, he said that the Miami Showband were some of the "most innocent" people, killed and the "UDR and UVF combined together to take out this band". Commenting on social media, UUP assembly member Doug Beatie, said the parade was "utterly appalling". What was the Miami Showband attack? The bomb and gun attack happened as the band, which toured across Ireland, travelled home to Dublin after a gig in minibus was stopped by a fake Army patrol involving Ulster Defence Regiment and Ulster Volunteer Force Boyle was killed when the bomb which was placed on the Miami Showband bus exploded gang then opened fire, murdering singer Fran O'Toole, guitarist Tony Geraghty and trumpeter Brian Travers and another band member, Des McAlea, were injured but bomb also killed Wesley Somerville who was commemorated in April at a memorial parade in Moygashel in County Tyrone.
Belfast Telegraph
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Hundreds expected at memorial parade for UVF man killed by own bomb in Miami Showband massacre
Fifteen bands taking part in march for Harris Boyle in Portadown A huge parade to commemorate the life of a UVF Miami Showband killer will take place in Portadown on Saturday. Billed as the Harris Boyle 50th Anniversary Memorial parade, more than 400 people and 15 bands are expected to take part in the event, which will tour the Killicomaine estate.
BBC News
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Miami Showband attack: Survivor says he 'doesn't hate' those responsible
A musician who survived the Miami Showband killings has said it does "no good to hate" those responsible for the Travers was a member of the band which was targeted by loyalist paramilitaries in a bomb and gun attack in July band members were killed when their tour bus was ambushed near Newry."For me to carry that kind of hatred around with me for 50 years, I wouldn't be strong enough to do that," Mr Travers said. "I understand how circumstances, the environment and hatred plays a part in this," he said."Of course it was wrong, and of course they had a choice, but it doesn't do no good to hate them." The band was travelling home to Dublin after a gig in Banbridge when they were stopped by a fake Army patrol involving Ulster Defence Regiment and Ulster Volunteer Force members.A bomb which was placed on the bus exploded prematurely, killing two of the attackers, Harris Boyle and Wesley gang then opened fire, murdering singer Fran O'Toole, guitarist Tony Geraghty and trumpeter Brian Travers and another band member, Des McAlea, were injured but survived. Mr Travers told BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show the abiding sounds of that night are temper, hatred and fear."It's there. I can hear it, smell it, listen to it all the time," he said. Describing the events which occurred that night, Mr Travers said there was an "incredibly loud" described being throw into the air and falling through a hedge. "I felt like I was really slow motion and I could feel every single leaf, tree and branch," said Mr Travers. "Then all of a sudden, I hit the ground very hard and instantly there were two other bodies that fell on top of me, that may well have been Tony or Fran."Mr Travers said after some time had passed he tried to stand up but couldn't until he felt somebody putting their hands under his arms."It was Brian McCoy. Brian was trying to drag me away from, he probably knew where the danger was, but I didn't," he Travers described how his bandmate was killed as he attempted to drag him to safety. "I don't remember him being murdered, but I remember him being on the ground." 'Gone down in history as terrorists' Mr Travers said if the attack had went to plan and the bomb was successfully placed in the bus, they would have kept driving until it was scheduled to go off in is his belief that the plan was to frame the band members as "terrorists" which could lead to greater border security and curtailing the activities of the Irish Republican Army (IRA)."We would have been in the middle of Newry, and we would have gone down in history as terrorists."Looking to the future he said "legacy isn't about the past. Legacy is about the future".Survivors and relatives of those killed in the attack received close to £1.5m in damages after they sued the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).A concert is being held in Dublin later this year to mark 50 years since the attack.
