1992 Sinn Féin Headquarters shooting
| Sinn Féin Headquarters shooting | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Troubles | |
 Sinn Féin‘s Falls Road Office | |
| Location | Falls Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Date | February 4, 1992 c. 1:15 p.m. (GMT) |
| Target | Sinn Féin workers and activists |
Attack type | mass shooting, murder–suicide |
| Weapon | Pump-action shotgun |
| Deaths | 4 (including perpetrator) |
| Injured | 2 |
| Perpetrator | James Allen Moore |
The 1992 Sinn Féin Headquarters shooting, also known as the Sevastopol Street shooting, was a mass shooting committed by an off-duty RUC officer on 4 February 1992, at Sinn Féin's Falls Road office on Sevastopol Street in Belfast.[1]
Background[edit]
Some time prior to the shooting, James Allen Moore (24), a Constable in the anti-terrorist the Divisional Mobile Support Unit (DMSU) of the RUC,[2] had visited the grave of an RUC colleague in Comber, County Down.[1][3][4] While there, he fired shots over the grave with a shotgun, before he was disarmed by other RUC members and taken to Newtownards RUC barracks, where he appeared agitated and aggressively intoxicated.[1][4][5] When his blood alcohol levels were tested they were found to be over two and a half times the legal limit. The station doctor later said that he appeared to be suffering from an unusual degree of grief and depression, but that he had not detected anything that indicated psychiatric illness.[4]
While in the barracks, Moore called a colleague in Armagh, where was previously stationed, and talked about shooting republican suspects, however despite warning to another office present from his superior officer, Moore was allowed to leave Newtownards RUC station with his shotgun.[1][4][5] Moore then went to stay with a colleague for the night, but failed to show up for a RUC medical examination the next morning, prompting a search for him out of concern for himself and others.[4]
Shooting[edit]
While off-duty, Moore entered Sinn Féin's Falls Road office on Sevastopol Street at around 1.15 p.m. He then opened fire on the workers and civilians inside using his shotgun which was concealed in a suit carrier. He shot five people, killing three.[1][4][6]
While Moore attempted to leave, a stalwart from the neighbouring Green Cross Art Shop, Marguerite Gallagher, attempted to prevent him from leaving, holding on to him until Moore got to his car where Moore pushed her off of him.[7]
At around 1.30 p.m. people trying to give aid to the wounded were assaulted by responding officers, resulting in a pregnant woman being punched in her stomach with a rifle butt.[1]
After making a phone call to the RUC from a pub in North Belfast to claim responsibility,[2] Moore drove around 15 miles to Ballinderry on the shore of Lough Neagh, where he would commit suicide.[1][8]
Victims[edit]
The attack would result in the deaths of Patrick ‘Pat’ McBride (41), Michael O'Dwyer (21), and Patrick ‘Paddy’ Loughran (61).[1][6]
Two people were severely wounded during the attack, those being Patrick ‘Pat’ Wilson (28) and Norah ‘Kate’ Larkin.[1]
Legacy[edit]
In 2002, a memorial plaque was erected at the office by Sinn Féin to commemorate the victims of the shooting.[9][8]
On the 25th anniversary of the shooting in 2017, then Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams criticized the British government, saying "The attack on the Falls Road Sinn Fein office, like other similar attacks, were part of British government counterinsurgency strategies aimed at suppressing dissent to British rule."[10] He also criticised the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, who opposed legacy inquests citing national security risks.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "30 Years Ago Today. RUC Member Killed Three in Sinn Féin Office Attack". Friends of Sinn Féin USA. 2022-02-04. Archived from the original on 2022-02-04. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ a b Archives, L. A. Times (1992-02-05). "Belfast Police Officer Kills 3, Self". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ Jackson, Michael (2022-02-04). "Adams recalls the 'pandemonium' in the wake of Sinn Féin office slaughter". Belfast Media Group. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ a b c d e f McKittrick, David (1993-05-10). "Shooting 'followed frantic hunt for policeman': Inquest told how". The Independent. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ a b McKittrick, David (1993-05-11). "RUC man tells of call from colleague: Inquest told of threats made on". The Independent. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ a b "The "Perfect Killer" ?". ANF News. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ Adams, Gerry (2021-02-06). "Two Deadly Days In February 1992". Friends of Sinn Féin. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
- ^ a b "Black week remembered". An Phoblacht. 2002-02-07. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "CAIN: Victims: Memorials: Loughran, McBride, and O'Dwyer Plaque". cain.ulster.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams criticises government at tribute to shooting victims". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2017-02-06. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ "25th anniversary of fatal shooting at Sinn Féin office". ITV. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2024-04-26.