Survivors of the Miami Showband massacre during trouble Northern Ireland He and other victims of the atrocities agreed to pay 1.5 million pounds in damages because he was suspected of colluding with loyal terrorists and attacked the “lie” of the British government.
In 1975, three members of the Miami Performance Band were killed by loyalists in a bomb and gun attack when they stopped near Newry on their way back to Dublin from the show.
Stephen Travers, who was injured in the attack, said he believes he will win a civil lawsuit against the Ministry of Defense and the police, which shows that there is cooperation between the killer and the active soldiers.He said he agreed to the settlement because The British government plans to ban all prosecutions Related to the killing of soldiers and police during the riots.
“The current British government threatened to close all cases and the order document filed in July threatened to exempt justice rather than serve justice. This is a factor I have to consider,” he told Newstalk’s Pat Kenny show In Dublin on Tuesday.
legislation A proposal to amnesty all state agents who participated in the killings during the turmoil will be submitted in January on the grounds that prosecuting elderly soldiers and policemen who participated in crimes 40 years ago or more will not do any good for the prosecution.
“Our case proves that going to court is not easy. This Think they are unreasonable claims Being used against the British government… is a complete lie. “
“It took us 10 years to get them kicking and screaming in court. So all this is completely wrong,” he added.
The Miami Performance Band was one of the most famous performing bands in Ireland at the time. They were targeted after they stopped on a fake army patrol composed of Ulster Defense Regiment (UDR) soldiers and Ulster Volunteer Army (UVF) members.
The band members were forced to line up on the side of the road while trying to hide bombs on the tour bus.
The device exploded prematurely, killing some potential bombers.
Their accomplices then opened fire on the band, killing lead singer Fran O’Toole, guitarist Tony Gragerty and trumpeter Brian McCoy.
Two other band members Des McAlea and Travers were injured but survived.
The historical investigation team’s report on the Miami Showband massacre has raised concerns about the collusion of Royal Ulster Police (RUC) agents.
It found the notorious UVF boss Robin “Jackal” JacksonHe was a member of UDR, died in 1998, and is related to one of the murder weapons through fingerprints.
Jackson, a Chinese People’s Liberation Army agent suspected of being involved in dozens of murders, claimed in an interview with the police that a senior police officer told him that he lied after the murder.
He went on trial and was charged with possessing a silencer connected to the pistol used in the murder, but was subsequently acquitted.
Two active members of UDR were eventually convicted for participating in the attack.
On Monday, the Belfast High Court resolved a legal action seeking damages for assault, trespass, conspiracy to injure, negligence and misconduct in public office, but did not admit responsibility.
Travers will receive 425,000 pounds in compensation, and McAlea will receive 325,000 pounds. Personal representatives of Fran O’Toole and Brian McCoy will receive £375,000 and £325,000 respectively. All four plaintiffs received legal fees.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Out of respect for the people involved, we will not discuss or comment on the specific details of the case publicly.”
A government spokesperson said: “The Department of Defense has reached a settlement with the four claimants without assuming legal responsibility. The Miami Performance Band was attacked in 1975.”
