50th anniversary of deaths of three Maguire children that led to formation of ‘The Peace People’

A car that was being driven by Provisional IRA member Danny Lennon mounted the pavement and tragically crushed the Maguire children after he had been shot by a soldier following his being involved in criminal activity.

It is believed he may have been dead prior to careering into the Maguire family.

The children's deaths resulted in the formation of the Peace People movement which was led by two Belfast women, Mairead Corrigan-Maguire, (the children's aunt) and another local woman, Betty Williams from the Shankill.

Reflecting 50 years on from the tragedy, Kenny Donaldson, SEFF's Director stated: "The deaths of the Maguire children, followed by their mummy is amongst the most horrific actions of 'The Troubles' in terms of the impact upon a single family”.

The Maguires were from Ladybrook Crescent, Finaghy Road in North Belfast.

Added Mr Donaldson: “The fact that the victims were such young children also powerfully resonates despite 50 years having passed since that fateful day.”

At the point or the incident, Joanne was aged just eight-years-old, Andrew was six weeks old and the next day on 11th August 1976, John, their two-year-old brother also died. A further brother Mark survived the collision.

“Of course the story is further compounded by the death of the children’s mummy (Anne) who was overcome with grief and tragically ended her own life four years later,” said Mr Donaldson.

“We remember the Maguire family on one of our memorial quilts, Lives that Mattered and they alongside their Mummy Anne are spoken about often within the organisation.

“We also reflect the principles of The Peace Movement which followed in the aftermath of the tragedy, that principle of non-violence and a value system which submits that there was no justification for the use of criminal violence in the furtherance of or defence of a political objective.

“Those who founded the Peace Movement showed immense courage at a time when our community was split asunder and could have descended into all our civil war.

“The fact that Mairead and Betty were granted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for their heroism has not been given the focus and respect it should have.

"They were prepared to collectively cry out for an end to the violence and a just Peace not wanting any further families to be devastated by the pain which flows.

“The message of The Peace Movement remains as relevant today as it was in 1976, we cannot become complacent, we have not fully integrated Peace within our Society, largely Northern Ireland remains in a state of stand off.”

“On 10th August we will be marking this milestone anniversary and we will be offering our prayers as an organisation and SEFF Family for the Maguire family, your courage and grace as a family who have hurt deeply has been awe inspiring for so many,” concluded Mr Donaldson.