Shankill Bombing: Service to mark the 30th anniversary of the Shankill Bomb takes place today
Nine innocent people were killed when an IRA bomb exploded without warning in Frizzell’s fish shop on a busy Saturday afternoon on October 23, 1993.
The aftermath of the Shankill bomb
Michael Morrison, one of the nine people killed in the 1993 explosion
A service will be held today to mark the 30th anniversary of the Shankill bomb.
Nine innocent people were killed when an IRA bomb exploded without warning in Frizzell’s fish shop on a busy Saturday afternoon on October 23, 1993.
Fifty-seven people were also injured in the explosion, which occurred after IRA men Thomas Begley and Sean Kelly wore white coats to pose as delivery men as they carried the bomb into the shop.
Begley died in the explosion, while Kelly was sentenced to nine life sentences for his role in the attack and was released in July 2000 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
The memorial service begins at 11.45am with a short parade from the Shankill Leisure Center car park to the bomb site at Court Credit Union.
This is followed by a short service and the laying of wreaths and floral prayers, during which a piper plays and a minute’s silence is observed in memory of those who died.
An open invitation has been issued on behalf of the Michael (Minnie) Morrison Foundation to anyone who would like to pay their respects.
Michael Morrison, one of the nine people killed in the 1993 explosion
Mr Morrison died in the explosion, which also killed his partner Evelyn Baird and their seven-year-old daughter Michelle. Other victims included John Frizzell, his daughter Sharon McBride, 13-year-old Leanne Murray, couple George and Gillian Williamson and Wilma McKee.
“We hope our community can be there and stand alongside those left behind and those injured by the bombing,” said a spokesman for the anniversary support group, which is dedicated to remembering the explosion and its wider impact on the Shankill Road community dedicated.
The group said it was “hard to believe” the 30th anniversary was so close.
“On that terrible day in October 1993, nine innocent people were murdered in the blink of an eye when IRA terrorists wreaked murder and mayhem on the people of Shankill by planting a no-warn bomb on the counter of Frizzell’s Fish Shop.”
It was said that today’s service would honor the lives of those murdered and remember those injured. A new memorial is to be unveiled and details of a new “living memorial” are confirmed.
A service will also be held at West Kirk Presbyterian Church on Monday, the day of the 30th anniversary, with Reverend David Clawson officiating.
In addition to the bereaved, representatives of the emergency services and first responder groups also take part in the funeral service. Choirs from Belfast Boys’ and Girls’ Model Schools will perform and take part in the service, which will also be addressed by Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Reverend Doctor Sam Mawhinney.
At the end of the service, a ship’s bell is rung every minute for nine minutes, with each ring representing a death.