A SURVIVOR of the Miami Showband massacre has said the findings of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) report represented justice for those who were killed and for their families.
Former band member Des McAlea, who escaped the 1975 UVF attack by fleeing across a field in the darkness, was overcome with emotion when he addressed a press conference in Dublin yesterday.
He praised the families of those who were killed for the “patience and dignity” they had demonstrated over the last 36 years.
“It’s been a long and winding road for all of them and for us. Justice at last – hallelujah,” Mr McAlea said.
Stephen Travers, who was badly injured in the attack, said the survivors and families of those who died would always want to know more about what happened.
“But we’re very grateful for what we’ve got today. What’s happened today is that the door has been opened . . . they can’t argue when we accuse them of colluding with the paramilitaries.”
David O’Toole, a nephew of the band’s lead singer, Fran O’Toole, who was killed, said the family was “reasonably happy” with the report.
“These dreadful murders absolutely tore apart our lives and those of our families. They left two young women without their husbands and four very young children fatherless,” Mr O’Toole said.
“We hope that this report can bring some closure to us and help us to come to terms with our terrible loss.”
Keith McCoy, son of Brian McCoy, who was also killed, said: “We the families of Tony [Anthony Geraghty], Brian and Fran, as well as survivors Stephen and Des, have waited a very long time, over 36 years in fact, to learn the circumstances surrounding the deaths of our loved ones, who were shot down so brutally and so callously in the early hours of a summer morning.”
John O’Dowd, the Sinn Féin MLA for Upper Bann, focused on the report’s findings relating to the potential involvement of Robert “Robin” Jackson, sometimes referred to as “The Jackal”.
“It was well known that Robin Jackson was an agent for the British state, that he was allowed to kill Catholics with impunity throughout Mid-Ulster and beyond, and that some of these killings were actually facilitated by the forces of the State,” Mr O’Dowd said.
SDLP MLA for Upper Bann Dolores Kelly said the party’s sympathies were with the families of those who died and were injured in the atrocity.
“There has been a long-held belief that there were people in the security forces, including the RUC, who were involved in brutal crimes. This report confirms that and is a vindication of the families’ campaign.”
Independent TD Finian McGrath attended the press conference in Dublin yesterday and expressed his “strong support and sympathy” for the families.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern was one of those thanked by Mr McAlea “for giving us his full support and unveiling the Miami monument in Parnell Square”.
He also thanked Margaret Urwin of Justice for the Forgotten and representatives from the Pat Finucane Centre.
Alliance justice spokesman Stewart Dickson MLA described the findings of the report as “extremely troubling”.
