Nearly 200 come together in solidarity with family of IRA victim Thomas Irwin, 40 years since his murder
Close to 200 people came together this week to express solidarity to the family of IRA murder victim Thomas Irwin, marking 40 years since he was violently taken away from them.
An off-duty UDR man, the 52-year-old father of four was shot dead in broad daylight while at work in his civilian job on March 26, 1986.
On Wednesday night, the eve of the anniversary of his death, Cloughfin Orange Hall near Thomas’s native Sixmilecross held a memorial event that included a short film tribute to 22 Troubles victims from the area, marking the impact of terrorism on the rural Co Tyrone community.
The night also saw a panel discussion chaired by News Letter editor Ben Lowry, featuring Thomas Irwin’s son, Canon Alan Irwin, alongside Jennifer Jordan – who lost six family members to the IRA – and Claire Hayes, whose brother died in the 1998 Omagh bombing.
Said Kenny Donaldson of victims group SEFF: “All three speakers spoke incredibly powerfully, blending their own experiences with their broader perspective on issues impacting the broader innocent victims and survivors sector.
“The session then saw a wide variety of question themes covered, including the Omagh bomb inquiry, the obligations of the Irish government on legacy, historical revisionism, activism and involving youth.
“SEFF were very pleased to work in partnership with Sixmilecross District on this project honouring the Irwin family on the milestone 40th anniversary since the heinous killing of Private Tommy Irwin, a hard-working and well-liked family man who was murdered when at his most vulnerable.”