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Belfast Telegraph

Council agrees new commemoration to UDR soldiers killed in 1990

On April 9, 1990, on the Ballydugan Road near Downpatrick, four UDR soldiers – John Bradley (25), John Birch (28), Stephen Smart (23) and Michael Adams (23) were killed in a 1,000lb IRA landmine attack. At a June meeting of the Ards and North Down Borough Council's Corporate Services Committee, a motion was unanimously agreed, forwarded by independent unionist Steven Irvine and DUP councillor Stephen McIlveen. The motion states the local authority 'recognises the pain and sacrifice felt by their families, comrades, and the wider community, and acknowledges the bravery of these young men who served their country during a difficult period in our history'. It proposes the council 'supports the installation of a fitting and permanent tribute at the Newtownards cenotaph, either through an upgrade to the existing memorial or the addition of a dedicated memorial bench, in memory of these four brave young men'. It requests the council 'engage with the families of the fallen, veteran organisations, and local stakeholders to develop appropriate wording and design for the memorial addition, and to ensure the tribute is carried out with the dignity and sensitivity it deserves – and asks officers to bring a report back with options and costs.' The four men were part of a two-vehicle patrol from Ballykinlar to Downpatrick. A command wire detonated the landmine bomb hidden in a culvert beneath the road. The four men were killed instantly. The force of the explosion was so powerful that it launched the vehicle over a hedge and 30 yards into a field, leaving a crater 15 feet deep. Four UDR soldiers in the lead vehicle were treated for injuries along with two civilians. The April 1990 attack was the worst attack against the UDR since July 1983, when four soldiers of the same regiment were killed in a similar attack near Ballygawley. Councillor Steven Irvine said at the council meeting: 'I was approached before Remembrance Day last year by North Down Football Club, a local football club with strong community ties, to help their efforts to honour these fallen soldiers. I had no hesitation. 'They had already been approached by the UDR Benevolent Fund about tidying up the Ballydugan memorial site, and through that, they met one of the survivors of the attack. A team cleaned the site, laid weed membrane, painted the existing memorial, cut back the trees, and even installed a new paved entrance. 'Downpatrick Royal British Legion then stepped up their support, commissioning a new fence and gate, in a beautiful example of community collaboration and shared remembrance. But it didn't stop there, North Down FC committee members met with the families and survivors, and together they arranged to raise funds for a bespoke memorial bench, crafted by a local company. 'The families' wishes have been central to this effort, and their support means everything. Their commitment is ongoing – with four clean-ups a year, to make sure the memorial is maintained with care, respect and dignity.' He added: 'It is time that this council takes the next step to provide a fitting, permanent tribute at Newtownards cenotaph, through an upgrade to the existing memorial stone, or the installation of a dedicated bench in memory of these four young men.' Elected representatives agreed for council officials to engage with the families, veterans' organisations and other stakeholders, to return to the council with options and costs.