Shankill Bomb Atrocity To Be Remembered 25 Years On

Next week will see a series of commemorative events take place around Belfast to mark 25 years since the Shankill bomb that killed nine people.

The attack on 23 October 1993 came with no-warning. Nine people lost their lives in the bombing of Frizzell's fish and chip shop, including two children aged seven and 13.

Events in remembrance of the atrocity and the victims include a gallery exhibition, a play and a memory walk. On Saturday 20 October a parade of football teams will walk from Highfield to the bomb memorials to lay wreaths at 1.06pm, the time of the blast.

'What If,' a play based on the life experiences of Gina Murray, the mother of 13-year-old victim Leanne Murray, will show in the Spectrum Centre.

From 21-23 October, there will be an exhibition of artefacts, memorabilia, cards and photographs relating to the Shankill bomb.

On 22 October, A Walk To Remember will visit the sites of some of the worst bombing atrocities in the city.

The anniversary itself, 23 October, will see a service at West Kirk Presbyterian Church led by Reverend David Clawson. The event will include several readings by members of the bereaved families, and a performance by a united schools' choir from local primary schools.

Representatives from Harmony Primary School, where seven-year-old victim Michelle Baird attended, as well as the Girl's Model, where Leanne Murray was a pupil, will lay flowers at Court Credit Union at 1.06pm.

A bell will toll nine times, to remember each of the victims.

57 people were injured in the bomb, which exploded prematurely, while the intended target was UDA leaders thought to be meeting in an office above the shop, the IRA later revealed.

(JG)