Orange Victims' Day: Woman pays tribute to event in memory of her sister-in-law Heather Kerrigan and 341 other Orange Order members murdered during Troubles

A woman whose sister-in-law was the only Orangewoman murdered during the Troubles has praised the Orange Order for holding a day of remembrance for all 342 of its members who were murdered.
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By Philip Bradfield
Published 31st Aug 2023, 18:19 BST
Updated 31st Aug 2023, 19:16 BST

Heather Kerrigan died after an IRA landmine attack outside Castlederg in 1984, which also seriously injured her brother David.

A UDR soldier or 'Greenfinch', she was also a member of the Orange Order. Her sister-in-law, Irene Kerrigan, who is also a member of the order, said the event means a lot to her wider family.

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The leaders of all the loyal orders will come together in Co Tyrone on Friday for a special church service at St Anne’s Parish Church, Dungannon, hosted by The Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland, to mark the sixth annual Orange Victims’ Day.

UDR Corporal Heather Kerrigan was on the only Orangewoman to be murdered during the Troubles. She died after an IRA landmine attack near Castlederg in 1984, which seriously injured her brother. Photo: Supplied by Irene Kerrigan.UDR Corporal Heather Kerrigan was on the only Orangewoman to be murdered during the Troubles. She died after an IRA landmine attack near Castlederg in 1984, which seriously injured her brother. Photo: Supplied by Irene Kerrigan.
UDR Corporal Heather Kerrigan was on the only Orangewoman to be murdered during the Troubles. She died after an IRA landmine attack near Castlederg in 1984, which seriously injured her brother. Photo: Supplied by Irene Kerrigan.

“For the Kerrigan family it is great that the Orange Order has got involved in remembering the murdered brethren they had during the Troubles,” Irene said.

“It shows their families that they haven't been forgotten. Yes, there are other organisations that run events for victims but it's great to see the Orange Order getting on board too.

“As a family it's very much appreciated because a lot of us would be involved in the order as well, which makes it even more poignant.”

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All female members have specifically been invited to the church service in Tyrone, she said, in recognition of the fact that this year is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UDR Greenfinches.

Irene Kerrigan from WLOL 202 will attend the Orange Victim's Day service in Co Tyrone in memory of her sister-in-law Heather Kerrigan, who was murdered by the IRA in 1984. Picture by Brian LittleIrene Kerrigan from WLOL 202 will attend the Orange Victim's Day service in Co Tyrone in memory of her sister-in-law Heather Kerrigan, who was murdered by the IRA in 1984. Picture by Brian Little
Irene Kerrigan from WLOL 202 will attend the Orange Victim's Day service in Co Tyrone in memory of her sister-in-law Heather Kerrigan, who was murdered by the IRA in 1984. Picture by Brian Little

After the service, which will be conducted by the Rev Bryan Martin, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the 8th Bn UDR Memorial in the church grounds.

Grand Mistress of the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland, Sister Joan Beggs, said: “It is an honour that the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland are hosting the annual Orange Victims’ Day Remembrance Service.

“While the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland lost one member – Sister Heather Kerrigan, a corporal in the UDR who was killed in an IRA landmine explosion in 1984 – many of our sisters lost close relatives and friends and we stand with them.”

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Since 2018, September 1 has been the date the order formally remembers the 341 Orangemen and one Orangewoman murdered by terrorists during the Troubles, the majority killed while serving in the security forces.

Leaders of the Loyal Orders will come together in Co Tyrone today for a church service to mark the sixth annual Orange Victims' Day: 342 members of the Orange Order were murdered during the Troubles, symbolised by the image above.Leaders of the Loyal Orders will come together in Co Tyrone today for a church service to mark the sixth annual Orange Victims' Day: 342 members of the Orange Order were murdered during the Troubles, symbolised by the image above.
Leaders of the Loyal Orders will come together in Co Tyrone today for a church service to mark the sixth annual Orange Victims' Day: 342 members of the Orange Order were murdered during the Troubles, symbolised by the image above.

It also marks the anniversary of the Tullvallen massacre, where the IRA murdered four Orangemen in their lodge in south Armagh in 1975, a fifth dying later from his injuries.

The day will also serve to highlight the ongoing plight of the injured and bereaved, the order said.

A series of commemorative events are being organised by the order locally across Northern Ireland.

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On Friday evening after a parade, a memorial tablet will be unveiled at West Belfast Queen Elizabeth ll Memorial Orange Hall on the Shankill Road in memory of those members from ‘The West’ of the city, who made the ultimate sacrifice, serving with the USC/RUC GC/UDR CGC.

The chairman of ‘The West’, William Humphrey MBE, said: “Wor Bro Richard Coulter, whose brother, the late Bro William Coulter served in the RUC and was killed by a republican bomb, along with Worshipful Bro David Nicholl, a former member of the UDR, will unveil the memorial.”