Lisburn Bomb Attack Remembered

A memorial service for six soldiers killed by a Provisional IRA bomb in June 1988 in Lisburn has been held in the city, 31 years on from the atrocity.

The British Army men had competed in the Lisburn Half Marathon and were returning to Thiepval Barracks when their vehicle was blown up in Market Square on 15 June 1988.

As runners competed in the popular race for the 37th time this week, members of Lisburn & Castlereagh City council commemorated the lives of the soldiers in a wreath laying ceremony.

Reflecting on the act, Mayor Councillor Alan Givan said: "The attack 31 years ago is an event the city will never forget. It was a dark time for Lisburn's close-knit community. We have a duty to mark this tragedy and pay our respects annually to those brave soldiers who lost their lives on a warm summer evening. I am humbled to lay a wreath at the memorial plaque to commemorate these soldiers' lives.

"I would also like to take the opportunity to give my deepest sincerities to the families of those who died; and to acknowledge others who were deeply affected by this attack in which six men died young and 11 others were injured. Lisburn & Castlereagh will continue to remember the lives lost on 15th June 1988 and the impact this tragedy had on the thousands of people in Lisburn."



(JG/CM)