Match watched in memory of victims

Published Monday, 18 June 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

Republic of Ireland players wore black armbands during their Euro 2012 match on Monday night, in memory of those who were murdered 18 years ago in Loughinisland.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.
  • This video has been Geoblocked to UK viewers ONLY!
    Loughinisland remembered
  • This video has been Geoblocked to UK viewers ONLY!
    Loughinisland massacre reviewed
  • This video has been Geoblocked to UK viewers ONLY!
    Interview: Margaret Ritchie

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

Six men were shot dead when a loyalist gang opened fire inside the Heights bar in 1994.

They were watching the Republic face Italy - the same fixture that was played on the 18th anniversary of the attack on Monday.

In the small Co Down village, loved ones of the victims gathered in the same room of the same bar on the same night - in 2012 - to watch the Republic lose 2-0 to Italy.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said the families welcomed the team's gesture to wear the armbands.

"They are taking some comfort, enormous comfort in fact, from that, because that is an act of solidarity and an act of standing with the families and also standing with other families right throughout the island of Ireland who have lost loved ones as a result of our conflict," she explained.

Earlier Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane said it was a respectful gesture.

"It's only right that we do wear the armbands in respect of everyone's families to let them know as a team and as a nation, that we are thinking of their families," he said.

The tribute to those killed was given the go-ahead by UEFA chiefs after they were approached by the Football Association of Ireland.

Speaking last month, John Delaney, FAI chief executive, said: "What happened in Loughinisland in 1994 was an awful tragedy and deeply moving for all football fans.

"I would like to thank UEFA for assisting us in commemorating this atrocity and take the opportunity to remember all those who lost their lives in the Troubles."

Despite 16 arrests over the years no-one has been convicted of the murders, carried out by the UVF.

A Police Ombudsman investigation into the Loughinisland murders found insufficient evidence of collusion between police and the loyalist gang in connection with the atrocity and subsequent police probe.

However he did find police failings over the disposal of the getaway car and the loss of some evidence.

© UTV News
Comments Comments
91 Comments
Brendan Rodgers in Dublin wrote (333 days ago):
It's about time an all Ireland football team happened. A lot of people died in the troubles all over Ireland. We're all Irish as we are from the island of Ireland. All you unionists know this- you just can't accept it. Calling someone British from Ireland is like calling someone from Australia a New Zealander- Get a map you bigoted unionist folk and build a bridge & get over it. Unionist have an identity crisis as prior to 1921 it was ok to call them Irish, infact they were proud to be called Irish- what's changed? Not long til the Tricolour is flying over Belfast city
Michael in Belfast wrote (336 days ago):
Blah Blah Blah. Who actaully cares about them wearing armbands. Whatever. Personally I don't see a problem. Too much time in this country is taken up by one side trying to out do the other. Get over it.
Shaking head in disbelief in Norway wrote (336 days ago):
I've been fortunate enough in my career to have worked in many many foreign countries but always check out the news at home when I get a bit of free time, I felt compelled to post this as I cant believe that nearly every piece of news reported on this site gets turned into a farce in the comments section. Ive been unlucky enough to have grown up during the troubles and Im greatful that my children have not, indeed my two sons are in their late teens and know nothing of bigotry and Im proud to say they have great friends on "both Sides" It gives me some hope of a bright future to see this and I know lots of other parents are raising their children the same, so maybe just maybe in a few generations time the past will be exactly that, the sooner the "dinosaurs" who continually bleat on about who done what, on BOTH sides die out the better it will be for the whole of this Island.
heather in belfast wrote (337 days ago):
Ref Mark in London,, and the people of enniskillen were remembering the dead of 2 world wars !!!!!!
henry in north belfast wrote (337 days ago):
sandy if your gonna bring up the subject of sport and politics then think back to neil lennon and the death warnings he got while playing for the north of ireland team.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
On the rocks
Wed 01 May 2013
4x4 in Ballycastle harbour
Thu 02 May 2013