50th anniversary of Herron family deaths in IRA bomb to be marked

The surviving family of a father, mother and daughter killed in a bomb attack in Co Down 50 years ago have said they want them to be remembered for their goodness and humanity, and not how they died.

William Herron, 64; his wife Elizabeth, 58, and their youngest daughter Noeline, 26, were victims of the bomb planted by the Provisional IRA, which exploded in the family’s drapery shop in Dromore on April 7 1976.

They had been in their home above the shop when the building was destroyed in the explosion.

They will be remembered in a memorial parade, service of remembrance and wreath laying ceremony in Dromore on Tuesday evening, and at a service at Banbridge Road Presbyterian Church on Sunday April 12.

In a statement, the Herron family described April 7 1976 as a “date that will forever be etched in our minds and our hearts as a family, but also within the fabric of the town of Dromore”.

“On that date, three beloved members of our family were cruelly murdered by the Provisional IRA. They had no enemies that we ever knew of, they were respected members of the local community and were viewed as hardworking, loyal and good neighbours to all,” they said.

“Their murders sent shockwaves across a community which had been relatively unscathed as a consequence of the terrorist campaign up until this point.

“William established the business in Dromore but on expansion, he purchased bigger premises on the corner of the Square and Bridge Street, and the family moved into the accommodation above the shop. In the years that followed, the drapery business prospered in Dromore and in manufacturing band and other uniforms and regalia.

“Meanwhile, Elizabeth had many interests outside her role as a homemaker, including meals on wheels.

“Noeline was the youngest sibling of five and was very much involved in the family business. She worked in the Dromore shop, which sold household goods, curtain material and fabrics.”

“As a family, we do not want them to be remembered solely for how they died, we want their goodness and humanity to be their legacy.

“It was never anyone’s right to target a family-owned business for reasons motivated by sectarian and ethnic hatred of difference.”

A man and two teenage sisters were jailed for the murders following a trial in 1981, but the women were released in 1985 after being given Royal Prerogatives of Mercy.

The family said that adolescents could be responsible for such horror, “somehow makes this act of terrorism all the more difficult to process”.

However, they said they are clear that ultimate responsibility “rests with the puppet masters – those who ordered and/or directed them to do so”.

“There are others who have never been held accountable for the crime,” they said.

They added: “Our loved ones will never be forgotten by our family, however, we are conscious that as time moves forward, the broader community can become more withdrawn.

“We feel it very important that today’s generation and those still to come do understand the story of our family, and of the impact within Dromore town of what happened.

“Crucially, terrorism did not victor, the community was not permanently divided by the actions of those who sought to do so.”

The family has been supported by victims’ group SEFF.

Director Kenny Donaldson said the murder of the three family members “remain shocking to this day”.

“The family were immensely well respected right across the community of Dromore and much further afield,” he said.

“They remain resolute and determined not to let terrorism define them, nor ever victor, they are a family who represent the best of human values, and we pray that in this milestone 50th year, the community at large come out and stand with the family shoulder to shoulder in a visible act of solidarity.

“The family still seek answers in terms of what happened to their loved ones, they require a more complete picture of events and they must also be afforded respect by the authorities who are required to explain to the family why the two young women concerned, who were convicted, were then given the Royal Prerogative of Mercy and released from prison.”