Council to Mark 30th Anniversary of Half Marathon Bombing in Lisburn

June 13, 2018

Thirty years of the Lisburn bombing when six soldiers lost their lives will be marked on Friday 15th June (this Friday). A Commemorative Service will take place at Market Place at 6.30pm, and the Service is open for members of the public to attend. 

The six soldiers had competed in and completed the charitable Half Marathon and Fun Run event on 15th June 1988 when a bomb exploded in their vehicle which killed the six men.

As a new Council the Memorial plaque, in memory of the soldiers, will be rededicated to the six victims at the Service.

The Mayor, Councillor Uel Mackin, said: “The loss of life, devastation and destruction that took place that terrible evening three decades ago is something that so many local people still remember and the Council wants to ensure that anyone who wishes to pay their respects can do so by coming along to the Service on Friday.

“The six young soldiers had competed in the annual Half Marathon and Fun Run and were returning to their base when a terrorist bomb destroyed the vehicle in which they were travelling. There were some 11 injuries to bystanders who were in Lisburn that evening as many young people, families and children had participated in the event and the then town was very busy. The story is well documented and so sadly none of the six men survived. One can only contemplate the shock and grief of their family relatives who were left in the deepest mourning.

“It is 30 years ago now, and a lot of time has passed, but the memories of those young men who were killed will stay with their families forever and of course they will never be forgotten by the Council or the people of Lisburn. It will be a privilege for me to attend this deeply poignant occasion as one of my early Mayoral duties and to pay my respects to the men who served for Queen and country,” he said.

A number of special guests will attend the 30th Anniversary Memorial Plaque Rededication Service and wreaths will be laid as the loss of six young lives are remembered.

Traffic will be disrupted around Market Place from around 5.30pm to 7.30pm.