Eric and Desmond Guiney: Troubles legacy body investigating deaths of Rathcoole man and his son
The Troubles legacy body is investigating the deaths of a Rathcoole man and his son who were attacked during rioting in north Belfast over 40 years ago.
The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (the Commission) is appealing for information in relation to the case of Eric Guiney and his son Desmond.
Eric was a 45-year-old milkman and father of four. Desmond was his 14-year old son. At 6.10am on Tuesday, May 5 1981, they were travelling along the Antrim Road in Eric’s milk float when the vehicle was attacked with bricks and missiles.
It was reported at the time that rioting had broken out that morning following the death in the Maze Prison of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands.
During the attack, the milk float collided with a concrete lamp post on the Antrim Road at its junction with Duncairn Avenue, opposite the New Lodge Road. Desmond died of his injuries three days after the incident. Eric died the day after his son’s funeral on May 13 1981.
Following a request from their family, the Commission is appealing for witnesses to come forward to find the truth of what happened to Eric and Desmond.
Assistant Commissioner Amanda Logan said: “The Commission is committed to delivering for all those who have come to us for help, and today the family of Eric and Desmond are uppermost in our thoughts.
“Any information you may hold, no matter how inconsequential it may seem, could be of critical importance to uncovering the truth. If you know anything about the circumstances that led to the deaths of Eric and Desmond, please share it with the Commission. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.”
- Anyone with information can contact the ICRIR by:
- Telephone: 02890 362093
- Email: [email protected]
- The Commission also has an ‘appeals for information’ page on its website where more information is available.
The Assistant Commissioner added: “The Guiney family has waited more than four decades to learn the truth of what happened that day. At the Commission we will help them in every way we can, and I appeal to the public to assist us in this work.”
The witness appeal will involve distributing posters and an organised leaflet drop in the area relating to the investigation.