Grave restored of Lance Corporal Michael Darcy murdered by republican terrorists on the 4th June, 1988
On the evening of the 4th of June, 2026 a very dignified and moving service marking the 38th anniversary of the murder of Lance Corporal Michael Darcy was held at his and his mother’s grave. The grave in Castlederg Cemetery, County Tyrone has recently been restored as part of an initiative by Castlederg Young Loyalist’s Flute Band and the Newtownstewart & District Branch Regimental Association of the Ulster Defence Regiment. It was funded by kind donations of the public. The service was conducted by the Rev. Cannon Peter Ferguson, Rev. Johnny Jordon, Rev. Stephen Gaston and the Rev. Robert Orr who made a return to Castlederg for the special service. During the service an act of remembrance was conducted by Castlederg Branch of the Royal British Legion. Music was played by Castlederg Young Loyalist’s Flute Band together with a lone piper and remembrance crosses laid. The service was very well attended by the public and past comrades of Michael’s. Regimental members with green blazers could be seen and standards displayed.
Lance Corporal Michael Darcy service number 24482809 was single, aged just 28 and an only child. He lived with his widowed mother in Derg View Park, Castlederg when he was murdered in the early hours of the 4th June 1988 after returning from a band parade in Beragh. Michael had served in the UDR for ten years. He was a founding member of Castlederg Young Loyalists Flute Band. He was also a member of Bridgeton Orange Lodge No. 379 in Castlederg and Garvetagh Branch of the Mitchelburne Club of the Apprentice Boys of Derry.
He was cowardly shot in the back while sitting in his car by an IRA fascist republican terrorist gunman who had emerged from the shadows to commit sectarian murder before returning to the same shadows gloating in depravity. Michael was never given a chance to defend himself and died instantly.
Michael’s mother Kathleen would speak about his murder saying she was lying awake waiting for his return at 1.30am and worrying. She recalled the events of that evening in detail years later; "he was nearly home. I was lying in bed when the dog started barking. I heard Michael's car coming in. Then I heard the shots. He was at the back door in his car. He was coming home. The music was still on and the engine was still running. He was shot 6 times in the back. I remember screaming and screaming but no one came. Not one person came out of their homes. I couldn't get help for ages."
Michael’s cowardly murder was in a way was also a death sentence for his grieving mother Kathleen. She would pass away on the 31st May, 1999 coming up to the 11th anniversary of Michael’s murder heartbroken as you would expect from the loss of the joy of her life, her only child.
After the service which I found emotional, remembering Michael. I returned to the grave to take this picture and think of all the others in this graveyard overlooking Castlederg who were murdered by republican terrorists. Not one of the so many innocent victims murdered like Michael in cold blood has to date got justice and that must be addressed despite the passing of the years.
Lest We Forget
Stevan Patterson, Castlederg, County Tyrone