Miami Massacre survivors urge former UDR members to come forward

Three members of the popular show band were shot dead by a UVF gang after being flagged down as they drove to Dublin after performing in Banbridge, County Down in July 1975.

Band members Fran O’Toole, Tony Geraghty and Brian McCoy were shot dead in the atrocity as they were returning home after a gig in County Down in July 1975.

Stephen Travers – from Carrick on Suir – along with Des McAlea were also shot but survived.

They are currently taking legal action against the PSNI and British Ministry of Defence.

Their claim, which also involves the widows of Mr O'Toole and Mr McCoy, focuses on the contention that the UDR did not do enough to prevent collusion with loyalists at the time.

Days after the 40th anniversary of the attack, they have appealed for former UDR soldiers to help their quest for justice.

Michael Flannigan, the Belfast-based solicitor representing the survivors and bereaved families, said that they are “seeking to take statements from former UDR members about their experience within the UDR from this period.”

The legal representative said that they are particularly looking to “hear from former UDR members who may have reported concerns about collusion to their superiors within the regiment.”