Prayer service held for lost showband stars
By Jon Myles
 Just two days after the IRA’s historic statement mourners gathered in Dublin to remember one of the most shocking events in the North of Ireland’s Troubles.
A special prayer service
in Dublin saw a packed congregation commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Miami Showband massacre — when Ulster Volunteer Force gunmen shot dead three members of the group.
Around 400 people, including relatives of the musicians killed in the atrocity packed into Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral for an emotional remembrance service to celebrate their work.
Among those who paid tribute to the band were 1970 Euro-vision Song Contest winner and former MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon and their former front-man Irish showband legend Dickie Rock.
The Miami Showband were one of the Ireland’s most popular live acts in the 1970s and were returning from performing at a dance in Co. Down when their minibus was flagged down by men dressed in army uniforms on the road to Newry.
The band were told to line up in a ditch while UVF gunmen posing as Ulster Defence Regiment members tried to plant a bomb inside the minibus — which they hoped would explode later on as the musicians headed home to Dublin.
But the device exploded prematurely — killing two UVF members.
The UVF gang then opened fire on the band — killing lead singer Fran O’Toole, trumpet player Tony Geraghty and Brian McCoy.
Guitarist Stephen Travers and Des Lee survived.
Catholic priest Fr Brian D’Arcy and Anglican rector the Rev Robert Dean conducted the weekend’s inter-denominational service — which saw Dana sing several hymns and a musical tribute from Dickie Rock.
Margaret Unwin of the Justice for the Forgotten Group said: “This was a very important day for the O’Toole, McCoy and Geraghty families and for those who survived because it was the first time they have got together in this way.
“It was very heartening to see so many people from the showband era and members of the public turn out and celebrate the band member’s lives.”
A special memorial concert was also held at Dublin’s popular Vicar Street venue in memory of Fran O’Toole, Brian McCoy and Tony Geraghty. |
