Shankill bombing: Wreaths laid to mark 30 years since attack

A large crowd gathered for the memorial

Wreaths have been laid at a commemoration to mark 30 years since the Shankill bombing.

Nine people were killed in the 1993 attack, as well as one of the IRA bombers. More than 50 were injured.

Democratic Unionist Party peer Lord Dodds was among those who attended the memorial on Saturday afternoon.

A church service will be held on Monday, which marks exactly 30 years since the bomb exploded in Frizzell's fish shop.

Two IRA men, Thomas Begley and Sean Kelly, posed as fishmongers and carried the bomb into the shop where shoppers were queuing for food.

The IRA attack destroyed Frizzell's fish shop

The victims

The victims of the Shankill bombing included John Frizzell, 63, who owned the fish shop. His daughter Sharon McBride, 29, was helping her father and was also killed.

Michael 'Minnie' Morrison, 27, his partner Evelyn Baird, 27, and their daughter, Michelle, who was seven, also died. Their two other children were left parentless.

George Williamson, 63, and Gillian Williamson, 49, were out shopping when they were both killed in the blast, leaving behind two children.

Michelle Baird died alongside her parents. She was seven years old

Wilma McKee, 38, was walking past the shop when the bomb went off. She died a day later from her injuries.

Leanne Murray who was 13 years old was also killed.

Her mother, Gina, later realised that IRA bomber Sean Kelly had pleaded for her help after the explosion.

In a recent interview, when she was asked what she would say to Sean Kelly now if she saw him, she replied: "I don't think I would have words for him.

Leanne Murray, 13, was out shopping at the time of the explosion

"We will suffer until the day we die."

One of the bombers, Thomas Begley, was killed in the explosion.

Canon Tracey McRoberts read out the names of the victims at Saturday's commemoration.

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"There is hardly a person from the area who was alive at the time who doesn't have a story to tell about the day," Canon McRoberts said.

"We remember days like today because the hope is that we can work to make this world a better place so that such horrible loss of life doesn't ever happen in this sort of way again.

"But peace does take work, hard work - it isn't easy. It's about reaching out to others, even those you don't like, to find ways to look forward as to how we can make a better future together."

Members of the community take part in a minute's silence during Saturday's event to mark the 30th anniversary of the Shankill bombing

The event was organised on behalf of the Michael 'Minnie' Morrison Foundation, which supports local children through sport and included members of children's and youth football teams.

Freddie Black, who played with Albert Foundry FC alongside Mr Morrison, recalled a "horrendous day almost 30 years ago" and thanked emergency services and volunteers for their work at the scene.

"Minnie was a lively and happy young man with a beautiful partner Evelyn and children Michelle, Darren and Lauren," Mr Black said.

He described those killed as "victims of an obscene and cowardly act".