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As local people gathered on the streets, after hearing the shooting, they came under a hail of gunfire from several positions. The British army were firing down from Duncairn Gardens down Edlingham Street and from the top of Templar and Alemein Flats, using their newly aquired 'nitesights' with deadly effect. In the midst of this Tony Campbell was returning from a disco after celebrating his 19th birthday. He was shot dead by the British army at the junction of Edlingham Street and New Lodge Road. Brendan Maguire went to help him and was shot dead at the same spot. Then John Loughran came out of his house to help the injured. He too was shot dead and fell beside Tony Campbell and Brendan Maguire. In the hail of gunfire, terrified people were taking shelter in doorways, under cars and in the old Circle Club. When there was a lull in the gunfire, Ambrose Hardy emerged from the doorway of the club holding a white cloth above his head. He was shot in the head by a British army sniper. The British army and the British media reported a gun battle between the IRA and the British army. In fact the IRA only opened fire after the deaths in order to give cover to enable the dead and injured to be attended to. These events were never properly investigated. The Troops Out Movement join the 'Time for Truth' committee in calling on the British government to establish an inquiry into these killings.
‘Legal
Trigger Men’ killed New Lodge Six says Dillon The British soldiers who killed
six unarmed men in the New Lodge in 1973 have been branded “legal
trigger men” who's activities were “deliberately
covered up” in order to hide the truth, by a top criminal
investigative Irish author.
Unique research project set for New Lodge Six A ground-breaking piece of research is due to be carried out investigating how the conflict has affected generations of families in the New Lodge area. The unique piece of research commissioned by Droichead an Dóchais will look at the families of the six men shot dead by the British army in February 1973 as well as the families of those people who survived the attacks. The aim of the project is to investigate and chronicle the effects the tragedy had on their lives and on the lives of future generations. The Community Relations Council is funding the exercise and over the coming weeks people will be asked to give their account of how their lives changed in February 1973 when Jim Sloan, Jim McCann, Tony Campbell, Brendan Maguire, John Loughran and Ambrose Hardy were killed and Charlie Carson was severely wounded. The research is expected to be completed before the end of March and Michael Culbert, who is a member of Droichead an Dóchais' advisory committee said the project was unique in its aim. "This is a unique piece of research which hopes to track and document trans-generational trauma. "In the past we have had a community inquiry into the New Lodge Six killings, which gave a full account of the tragedy and highlighted their quest for answers and justice. "This piece of research is different in that we are trying to focus on the general health and well being of the victims and survivors of the killings," said Michael Culbert. The research and its questionnaires will also be looking at an apparent widespread negative image of the area. "I am convinced that these were normal people who were living in abnormal times. Negative comments about the area that it is run down and that young people are running amok are casually thrown about. There might be certain grounds for this, but we need explanations," the North Belfast counsellor said. "Poor health and a high level of mental health issues in the area have to come from somewhere and we will be looking into this alongside effects of the conflict." John Loughran whose uncle was shot dead by the British army in the New Lodge Six massacre said he welcomed the initiative. "The key part of any research is that it sets the agenda for future pieces of work and identifies key areas. How do we remedy the situation if we don't identify the cause and extent of the problem? "Through this research we are trying to create a context in which we can examine other atrocities in which families have been bereaved and had their rights denied. We need to look at all of these issues and examine them." A local councillor involved in the project said she thought it was important to establish what affect the conflict had on bereaved families. "I would welcome this piece of research. I believe it's important to find out what the needs of the area are," Sinn Féin councillor Carál Ni Chuilín said. "It's important to understand what services people are accessing and if they're not accessing them, then why not? Just because the families haven't got justice doesn't mean they can't get support in the interim. In fact for anyone who feels they have been affected by the conflict it's important to talk to someone. "They could contact Droichead an Dóchais on 9074 2255 or myself at the local Sinn Féin office on 90740817."
Families call for justice The families of six Belfast men shot dead in controversial circumstances say their campaign will continue until they find the truth about the killings. North Belfast men Jim Sloan, Jim McCann, Tony Campbell, Brendan Maguire, John Loughran and Ambrose Hardy were shot dead in a 90-minute period in the New Lodge area on the night of February 3/4 1973. While the British army admitted shooting four of the men dead, the killing of Jim Sloan and Jim McCann has never been claimed. The IRA later admitted that Mr Sloan, Mr Campbell and Mr McCann had been members but insisted they had ‘not been on active service’ when killed. None of the six men were armed when killed. The Ministry of Defence later paid compensation to their families. Speaking at a commemoration to mark the 33rd anniversary of the killings, John Loughran’s grandson John said: “To date no British soldier has been brought to book for the murders. “Does this send a signal that the British government is interested in peace building or conflict resolution when they cannot face up to what they did over 30 years ago? “If they are serious about the future then they must deal with the impunity afforded to their state forces. “The need to deal with the past in a collective way is the only way forward. “A way that addresses all hurts.”
Relatives issue demand for justice at commemoration of New Lodge Six Relatives of the New Lodge Six have demanded that the British government come clean about the 1973 killings following a rally that was held to mark the 33rd anniversary of the killings. On the night of Saturday February 3, 1973, six men from the New Lodge area were shot dead and one wounded by the British army. But the circumstances were never investigated. The British army claimed that six gunmen had been killed in a gun battle with its troops, but the local community and the families involved have always rejected this. An investigation into the killings was carried out by the community in 2003 during which evidence was gathered that discredited the claims of the MoD. John Loughran, whose uncle John was one of those killed, said the families deserved to hear the truth about what happened that night. “We have presented our version of what happened and the British government is yet to acknowledge even receiving this. What message does that send to the families? “We stand here in the knowledge that we are right and that we are joined in solidarity by people across this island who also yearn for truth and justice. “To date no British soldier or British politician has been brought to book for the murders of Jim McCann, Jim Sloan, Tony ‘TC’ Campbell, Brendan Maguire, John Loughran or Ambrose Hardy. “If they are serious about the future then they must deal with the impunity afforded to their state forces. Legislation designed to close down avenues for families to pursue truth and justice cannot succeed,” he said. Speaking at the commemoration, held on Friday last, Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Stanton said the killings were a mirror image of the events of Bloody Sunday. “This was a planned operation to murder and maim and was in keeping with British policy at that time. In the period 1969 to 1973 the British state had killed 188 people and what happened here in the New Lodge was part of that pattern. “What compounded the grief was that they tried to place the guilt on those who were without guilt. That is, the men they murdered and the families, they ruined. All we have to do to understand this pattern is understand Bloody Sunday in Derry when the world was told these men were nail bombers.” Cathy Stanton said the families deserved justice. “The families must be supported in their campaign if we are to realise the type of change that is needed to build a new society. If the British government is genuinely interested in conflict resolution then they must deliver on the family’s demands for truth and justice.”
US lawyer set to interview loyalist on New Lodge Six The North Belfast News can exclusively reveal that the probe into the 1973 New Lodge six massacre is set to take a massive leap forward when a loyalist, confirming his role in the atrocity, is interviewed by American lawyer Ed Lynch. A special news conference was hosted on Thursday by the families on the back of news that a former UVF member has publicly confirmed that he worked with British military intelligence to organise and take part in the gun attack which left six men dead. The news has distressed and angered families who have long maintained that the massacre was a joint operation by Loyalist paramilitaries and the British army, acting on the direction of the Military Reconnaisance Force (MRF) later to be known as the Force Research Unit (FRU). Kathleen Sloan whose son was murdered said she was prepared to meet the loyalist face to face. “I would go face to face with him. And I would ask him why. And I would ask him would he like it if it was his son or brother that was killed that day. Jim was only four weeks married when he was murdered. He didn’t even get to see his own wedding pictures. When he died he didn’t even know his wife was pregnant with his son.” Paul O’Neill speaking on behalf of the families said they were prepared to speak to anyone about what happened. “We’ve been totally stonewalled and ignored for years. This was an ambush, those men were set up. It was mass murder. We will speak to anyone who wants to help us get the truth out.” Willy Loughran whose brother was murdered said he too was prepared to meet the UVF man. “The fact a man using the pseudonym John Black has came forward the week after the 34th anniversary of the killings, and is prepared to detail his role in the massacre with the British army, must be welcomed. “Family representatives are prepared to engage directly with this man. This revelation confirms long-held beliefs that the New Lodge massacre was a well-planned operation that was conceived of, directed and planned by British intelligence. It is essential for families that every new evidential lead must be vigorously and robustly pursued.” North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called on the British government to break its silence and order a fresh investigation. Echoing this, the families are also calling for a new and independent investigation on the basis that the RUC did not effectively investigate the 1973 massacre. The British government has a moral responsibility to assist families in their quest for truth and justice Willy Loughran added. “The New Lodge Six Massacre remains an open wound in this community. Families are now seeking urgent meetings with the British and Irish governments to raise serious concerns about the far reaching implications of this revelation of high-level collusion.
Families seek truth about army killings 35 years ago Families of six unarmed men shot dead by the British army 35 years ago have said only the establishment of a 'truth commission' will ever uncover the facts surrounding the killings. Jim Sloan, Jim McCann, Tony Campbell, Brendan Maguire, John Loughran and Ambrose Hardy were shot by soldiers in a 90-minute period in the New Lodge area of north Belfast on February 3 1973. Jim Sloan (19) had only been married for five weeks, with his wife only finding out she was pregnant after his death. Tony Campbell was celebrating his 19th birthday on the night he was killed. Ambrose Hardy (26) was shot as he left a bar waving a white flag, fearing his concerned mother would come looking for him when she heard the shooting. Father-of-three John Loughran, who was killed tending to the dead and injured, was later described by a judge as a "good Samaritan". While the army confirmed they killed four of the men, they never admitted the deaths of Mr Sloan or Mr McCann. The IRA said Mr Sloan, Mr Campbell and Mr McCann were its members but had not been on "active service" when killed. None of the six men were armed, with the Ministry of Defence later paying compensation to their families. Speaking ahead of a 35th anniversary commemoration on Sunday, Mr Loughran's brother Willie said he remained angry that the British army had never apologised. "These men were not anonymous people, they were our friends and our loved-ones," he said. "For me it all seems like yesterday. The memories and pain of that night are with me every day." Mr Loughran said the families now believe that only a truth commission will ever uncover the full facts. "I want to hear the British explain and account for their actions,'' he said. "I need to know who gave the orders. I do not necessarily want prosecutions but I want to hear the state acknowledge what they took from all our families that night. "To my mind only an independent commission, separate from the state and its agencies, has any chance of getting at the truth."
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