Sinn Fein 'deeply inappropriate' for event beside commemoration for six soldiers murdered by IRA in Lisburn

The six soldiers were murdered at the Lisburn fun run on June 15 1988.

Eleven members of the public were also injured, some of them suffering life changing injuries.

The IRA planted a 7kg IRA Semtex bomb under the soldiers' van, causing it to explode in a fireball.

They were Sergeant Michael J Winkler, Lance Corporal William J Paterson, Lance Corporal Graham P Lambie, Lance Corporal Derek W Green, Signalman Mark R. Clavey and Corporal Ian Metcalfe.

On Monday night a special civic commemoration was held at the scene of the attack, Market Place.

Mayor Brian Higginson was joined by families of the servicemen, Major Mears from Thiepval Barracks, representatives of the Royal British Legion, fellow elected members, and members of the public, all paying tribute to the soldiers and those injured.

Among those who laid a wreath were Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood.

Sinn Fein were holding a “packed” election event on the same evening at the Haslem Hotel, about 40 feet away.

The party's vice president Michelle O'Neill was formally announcing its Lisburn councillor Declan Lynch as its Lagan Valley candidate for the May 2027 assembly election.

But independent councillor Gary Hynds took exception to the timing and location of the Sinn Fein event.

“Last night, while Lisburn came together to remember the six innocent soldiers murdered in the 1988 IRA fun run atrocity, Sinn Fein held a candidate selection event at the Haslem Hotel, just yards from the bomb site and memorial service,” he said.

“Given the date and significance of what happened in our city 38 years ago, Sinn Fein representatives would have been fully aware of the sensitivity surrounding it.

“Many people will rightly view the decision to proceed with such an event, at that location and on that date, as deeply inappropriate and hurtful to victims’ families and all those affected by terrorism.

“The six soldiers murdered that day were taking part in a charity run in Lisburn when they were brutally killed by IRA terrorists.

“Their memory deserves dignity, respect and remembrance, not insensitivity.”

UUP MLA Robbie Butler called for Sinn Fein to apologise.

“Having met a number of the families of those murdered by the IRA that night in Lisburn 15th June 1988 I can only imagine the pain that this will have caused,” he said.

“Totally avoidable trauma. An apology from SF should follow!”

In a statement, Ms Eastwood said the attack was “a moment our town will never forget”.

She added: “This was one of the most significant events in terms of loss of life for the Army but also for the shocking circumstances behind the attack, the opportunism of the terrorists.

“Many others were also injured within the attack, some very seriously with life-changing injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with all innocents impacted by this brutal act of terrorism.”

Sinn Fein was invited to respond.