Relatives seek investigation into 30-year-old Belfast bombing

Relatives of the 15 people killed in the bombing of McGurk’s bar in north Belfast 30 years ago have demanded an investigation into allegations that the British army colluded with loyalists to carry out the attack.

Schoolchildren, pensioners, men and women died in the blast on December 4, 1971. Security officials initially told the press that the IRA had left the bomb in the bar, but it later emerged that the loyalist UVF was responsible.

The RUC and the British army said the IRA had left the bomb in the pub for use at a later stage, but it exploded prematurely, causing the deaths of 15 people. One of those killed was named as the IRA man responsible for the incident. That was the official line until 1978, when a UVF man who transported the bomb admitted his involvement and was given 15 life sentences.

Relatives of those killed suspect the British authorities helped the UVF to carry out the attack and subsequently helped cover up their involvement by blaming the IRA.