Widow’s tears for husband killed by IRA and commemorated with Orange Order banner

There were emotional scenes in east Belfast at the weekend as a 91-year-old widow, whose husband was murdered by the IRA, witnessed the unveiling of an Orange lodge banner in his memory.
Mrs Kathleen McCurrie reaching out to touch the image of her late husband on the Gertrude Street Defenders bannerMrs Kathleen McCurrie reaching out to touch the image of her late husband on the Gertrude Street Defenders banner
Mrs Kathleen McCurrie reaching out to touch the image of her late husband on the Gertrude Street Defenders banner

Newtownards Road area resident James McCurrie was shot dead along with Bobby Neill when IRA gunmen opened fire from the grounds of St Matthew’s chapel into the neighbouring Protestant district in June 1970.

Although republicans often refer to the incident as having occurred during a “gun battle,” an investigation by the Historical Enquiries Team found that both men were innocent victims and not members of any paramilitary organisation.

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On Saturday evening, Mrs McCurrie and other family members were invited to Ballymacarrett Orange Hall where the local Gertrude Street Defenders lodge was dedicating a banner in memory of the two men.

Mary McCurrie accompanied her mother to the dedication ceremony.

She said: “The banner means a lot to the whole family. I was amazed and so touched when I was told he was being remembered like this. As a family we are honoured, and we can’t thank the lodge enough.”

Ms McCurrie said her mum was very emotional on the night.

“The dedication service was lovely and we have been moved by the gesture.”

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Ms McCurrie has also appealed for anyone involved in the shooting to “search their conscience” and go to the PSNI with information.

“Everybody in the area knows who was there that night, but the general attitude of the police is that they can’t do anything unless there is new evidence,” she said.

“The IRA commander that night has boasted in various Irish republican publications about what they call the ‘battle of St Matthew’s’. They have also told a lot of lies about it to try to justify what they did.

“The IRA opened up on innocent, unarmed Protestants. This was a pre-planned attack by the Provos to get themselves on the map.”

A Catholic man found dead in the grounds of St Matthew’s around the same time, Henry McIlhone, is believed to have been accidentally shot by the IRA.

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