Memorial to Craigavon Mobile Shop murder victims destroyed

Memorial to Eileen Duffy, Katrina Rennie and Brian Frizzell was vandalised at the weekend

Eileen Duffy (19), Katrina Rennie (16) and Brian Frizzell (29) were shot dead in the Drumbeg estate in Lurgan in March 1991.

The cruelty of what became known as the ‘Mobile Shop Murders’ sent shockwaves around the community and led to widespread revulsion.

The memorial to the victims was erected on the 20th anniversary of the incident in the Drumbeg estate close to where the murders took place.

Late on Saturday vandals ripped apart the memorial destroying part of the brick work and smashing off a cross housed in an ornate case.

The Duffy family are very upset and hurt at what happened.

It is particularly hurtful as they are still grieving for Anto Byrne who died suddenly in Lurgan last September from a suspected drugs overdose.

His mum Maggie is Eileen Duffy’s sister and the weekend attack on this memorial has greatly upset the entire family.

They believe that it was a deliberate attempt to destroy the memorial.

However they have been heartened at the great support they have received from the local community with several offers of help to rebuild the memorial.

It will soon be the 26th anniversary of this brutal triple murder.

Eileen Duffy was working in the mobile shop when UVF gunmen struck, shooting her and her teenage friend Katrina Rennie in the head at point blank range.

Mr Frizzell was approaching the shop as the gunman made his escape.

After being ordered to lie on the pavement he was shot nine times.

Two men were later convicted for their part in the attack.

The murders were claimed by the Protestant Action Force - a cover name for the UVF.