‘People know all too well how different the terrorist is’

PACEMAKER PRESS INTL. BELFAST. Ballykelly Disco bombing at Droppin Well Pub (INLA Bombing) 17 people died (mostly troops from the Cheshire Regt. who were with their wives and girlfriends

Mr Douglas described recent comments from the Sinn Féin president as “utterly sickening.”

Gerry Adams, after an inquiry into the murder of two RUC officers in 1989 pointed to collusion between Garda officers and the Provisional IRA, accused the murder victims of displaying a “laissez faire” attitude to their own safety.

Mr Adams also described the two RUC officers as “men who were doing their duty as they saw it, in the same way as it is my belief the IRA volunteers were doing their duty as they saw it.”

Local councillor Boyd Douglas highlighted the bombing of the Droppin’ Well bar in Ballykelly 31 years ago as a contrast between “terrorists” and “men who went out to defend us against terror.”

The outspoken TUV Councillor said: “Gerry Adams’s claim that Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan died because of a ‘laissez faire disregard for their own security’ is utterly sickening.

“The Officers were murdered because bloodthirsty terrorists went out to gun them down. They were murdered because the Garda in Dundalk who they had been meeting tipped those terrorists off.

“Adams compounded the hurt and insult he inflicted when he told the Dail that the officers were ‘doing their duty as they saw it in the same way as IRA volunteers were doing their duty as they saw it.’ There is no parallel between the officers who went out that day to try and combat terror and the criminals who went out to murder the two officers who were betrayed by the Garda.”

Mr Douglas went on to reflect on the bombing of the Droppin Well bar by the INLA 31 years ago. On December 6, 1982, 17 people were killed as the roof of the Ballykelly bar came crashing down on the young people enjoying the entertainment at a disco. Of all those to lose their lives, none had yet reached the age of 30. Amongst the dead were 11 soldiers and six civilians. The Cheshire Regiment bore the brunt of the majority of army deaths.

Boyd Douglas said: “The people of this area know all too well how different the terrorist is from the upholder of law and order. Today (Friday) we remember the 31st anniversary of the Ballykelly Bombing when Republicans killed 17 people and injured 30 others when they bombed a disco. To compare those terrorists to men who went out to defend us against terror is appalling.”

He added: “I do have to say that I find some of the commentary on this matter from other Unionists ironic considering that they partner Sinn Fein/IRA in government.”