Anniversary Dinner
Celebrating 25 Years of Strength and Resilience: FAIR Dinner at Banbridge
Introduction: In a world that often overlooks the plight of victims and survivors, the FAIR Victims Group has stood as a beacon of hope and support for a quarter of a century. This year marks a remarkable milestone – the 25th Anniversary of the FAIR Victims Group. To celebrate this journey of strength, resilience, and justice, the group organised a special dinner at Banbridge. This event was a poignant and empowering gathering, bringing together survivors, advocates, and allies to commemorate the progress made and to renew the commitment to the ongoing fight for justice.
Reflecting on 25 Years: Founded in 1998, FAIR has been unwavering in its dedication to providing support, understanding, and resources to those who have experienced injustice. Over the past 25 years, the group has not only been a lifeline for victims but has also played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the challenges survivors face in their pursuit of justice.
The journey has been marked by triumphs and challenges, but through it all, FAIR has remained steadfast in its mission to advocate for fairness, accountability, integrity, and respect. The anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and acknowledge the collective strength that has fueled the group's impact over the years.
A Night of Celebration at Banbridge: The anniversary dinner at Banbridge promises to be a night filled with reflection, celebration, and unity. Set against the backdrop of this picturesque venue, attendees will have the chance to connect with fellow survivors, share stories, and find solace in the shared experience of overcoming adversity.
The program for the evening includes speeches from key figures within the FAIR Victims Group, highlighting the achievements and milestones reached over the past 25 years. Special guests, including advocates and community leaders, will also share their insights on the importance of supporting victims and survivors in their quest for justice.
The dinner at Banbridge is not just a celebration but a recommitment to the principles that have guided the FAIR Victims Group throughout its existence. It is an acknowledgment of the strength of survivors and a call to action for continued advocacy in the face of ongoing challenges.
Looking Forward: As FAIR enters its next chapter, the anniversary dinner serves as a springboard for the future. With the unwavering support of its members, allies, and the broader community, the group aims to continue its mission of creating a more just and compassionate society.
As we celebrate 25 years, let us not only reflect on the past but also look forward with optimism and determination. The journey ahead may be challenging, but with a united front and a commitment to justice, FAIR will undoubtedly continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of survivors and in the broader fight for a fair and equitable society.
Conclusion: The 25th Anniversary dinner at Banbridge is more than a commemoration of the past; it is a celebration of the resilience, strength, and unity that define FAIR and its members. As survivors, advocates, and allies come together to mark this significant milestone, they stand not only as a testament to the progress made but as a beacon of hope for the future. May FAIR continue to shine brightly for the next 25 years and beyond, inspiring change and fostering justice for all.
Narrowwater Memorial Service 2023
A dignified service was held today at Narrow Water the site of one of the worst atrocities in the Province. The service was organised by FAIR as they have done for so for many years.
The Frontier Pipes and Drums Veterans Pipe Band provided the music. Service was officiated by Revd Graham Middleton with John Robinson (Lt Col ret.) reading Roll of Honour and Act of Remembrance and Ben Higgins (ex WO11 QOH) reading collect of Queen’s own Highlanders . Piper was Bert Harkness and Bugler John Henry.
Wreaths were laid QOH, Armed Forces Bikers, PSNI, FAIR , Newry RBL, DUP, TUV and UUP.
FAIR spokesperson Molly Carson said
“ It’s very important to the families this day to remember the sacrifice of their husbands, fathers, sons. brothers, uncles and other relatives . Young men on a peace keeping mission callously murdered by cowardly IRA terrorists who never engaged in battle but planted bombs .
Thank you to all those who participated in the service and everyone who attended. I wish to add my personal thanks for a lovely service and all those who attended from The Armed Forces Bikers Club. Thanks also to the PSNI for their security., at the event”
Joe McCullough
Joseph (Joe) McCullough who was murdered by Provisional IRA terrorists on 26 th February 1976
Joseph McCullough was a fifty-seven year old farmer and part-time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. He was also a member of the Tullyvallen Orange Lodge, and lived on a small farm on the Castleblayney Road, Newtownhamilton.
who was stabbed to death by the Provisional IRA. His body was found a day later near his home.
Joe was staying with neighbours to avoid an attack as it had became clear that the PRA was systematically targeting members of his UDR company. On the day that Joseph was murdered, he had returned to his home in the evening to feed his dog. But an IRA gang were lying in wait to ambush him, and after stabbing him five times, they finished him off by twice cutting his throat. When he didn’t return, his neighbours went to Joseph’s farm and found him in the laneway. Joseph had sustained stab wounds to the head and neck. The nature of this murder was distinct and horrific it was a close quarters frenzied killing, which gives us some indication of the psychology of the killer. However this was not a random murder Joseph McCullough was the seventh person from Tullyvallen, in seven months, to be murdered by South Armagh PIRA, in their campaign of sectarian terrorism.
Joe was a member of the Orange Order and chaplain of Tullyvallen Orange Lodge. As a member of the Guiding Star Temperance Lodge, a couple of months earlier he’d been out on UDR patrol when the IRA attacked a meeting of the lodge at Tullyvallen, shooting dead five men, none of them in the security forces. Having narrowly missed becoming a victims of the Tullyvallan Massacre Joe would have know the risks of continuing to live and farm in the area. However like many of his friends and colleagues he was determined not to be driven off his land. Sadly he wasn’t the first of his family to be murdered by the IRA. A cousin, William Meaklin, had some time earlier been abducted from his mobile shop near Crossmaglen, tortured and murdered.
The message was clear to the isolated Protestant community - "YOU will be Next". However despite the risks and loss of loved ones and comrades these brave men held their ground, donned the uniform of the UDR and continued to defend their community.
Picture Framing
FAIR’s Picture Framing has been one of the flag- ship projects of the group with a lot of interest and an increasing number of orders. With tuition from a professional Picture-Framer, a full work- shop of tools and materials, and a couple of hours to spare a week, anyone with an interest in learning a new and exciting skill can become involved.
The course is free and at the end of it you will have the opportunity to help FAIR develop it’s pioneering business.
Come and be part of the team.
Coffee Mornings
For the ladies of the group, the Coffee Mornings provide a chance to get out of the house and into a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for a morning’schat.
Sharing time with like-minded individuals can be a therapeutic activity, and the addition of some quality coffee to the mix is sure to brighten your day
Highlights of the High Tea
With Afternoon teas and high teas all the fashion now our members and friends were in for a real treat. FAIR organised an al fresco high tea today where everyone enjoyed time together before the holiday break. With many events and activities planned for the summer months it was good to enjoy a more relaxed occasion. Thank you to our catering volunteers Liza, Charlean, Mary, Jesica and Sam. a big thank you to May, Lisa, Mary and Sam for the delicious sweets served. Great time was had by all.
Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund
A scholarship fund supporting injured or disabled veterans and backed by the Veterans' Foundation is now open for applications for the new academic year.
The Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund (DVSF) provides free education at The Open University (OU) for veterans injured or disabled during military service. There are 50 places available to start study in Autumn 2023 and applications close on Wednesday 5th July.
Of the two million armed forces veterans living in the UK, more than four in ten (44%) veterans who have a disability reported that they found the experience of finding the right job role as ‘difficult’.
Since it launched in 2018, the DVSF has awarded 262 scholarships to study at the OU and has helped veterans from a variety of different service backgrounds, and across the four home nations, who have physical or mental health challenges as a result of their time in the military.
One such veteran is Stuart Lawson, who was the recipient of a Disabled Veterans scholarship after serving in the Army for 19 years.
When a terrible accident turned his world upside down, Stuart was medically discharged from the Army and had to leave behind the only world he knew.
It was while undergoing gruelling rehabilitation that Stuart set himself a new goal to work towards – becoming a History teacher.
“The career I loved had been brought to a sudden halt," said Stuart,
"The military was my life. I was distraught and felt my life was meaningless. I had never been academic, didn’t enjoy my schooling and so I thought I didn’t stand a chance of being accepted.
But when the OU awarded me a scholarship, I just thought ‘Wow!’, I was so happy. It gave me a purpose."
"I still suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from my horrific accident and suffer from anxiety,” explained Stuart.
“I also still react to loud noises. But the OU has been really supportive in all this.
I want to send a huge thank you to the OU’s alumni and donors for giving me a chance to not just change my own life, but also to help educate and inspire my pupils of the future."
Successful applicants for the scholarship will receive full fee waivers for 120 credits per year and up to 360 credits in total, which is equivalent to a full honours degree.
It is deliberately flexible, and can be applied across both, undergraduate and post-graduate study, including access modules which are the OU’s short introductory courses.
Students will also have access to an expert team of specialist advisors who can help with disability and careers support.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny Mercer said: "Veterans leave service with real skills and values that can't be gained elsewhere. I am delighted to see the continuation of the Open University grant programme, that gives our disabled veterans new avenues to explore, and doors to go through, as they adapt and bring the skills they have to the forefront of new opportunities post service."
Jhumar Johnson, Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor at the OU, commented: “It is thanks to our generous donors that we are able to invite applications for our Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund for the fifth year. The OU are experts at delivering education to students with disabilities and health challenges and we are delighted to be able to offer this potentially life-changing opportunity to veterans.”
The OU and its partners are hoping to attract applications from a broad range of disabled veterans who can take full advantage of this fantastic opportunity to build their confidence, skills, knowledge, and experience to thrive in employment and their communities.
Learn more and apply for your place before midnight on 5 July 2023.
Disabled Veterans' Scholarships | How to Pay | Open University
Veterans Mental Health
Mental health and suicide prevention training
Danny Kinahan, Veterans Commissioner with Alison Campbell, course trainer
The Commissioner’s Office, in conjunction with Rainbow Bright Training, is currently facilitating a number of mental health and suicide awareness training sessions to members of Royal British Legion branches, Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Associations.
Many veterans experience poor mental health and reaching out can be difficult because, despite many advances, there is still a stigma attached to the whole area of mental health.
Here in Northern Ireland we have our own bespoke circumstances where many veterans are reliving their lived trauma as they still live in their conflict zone. Research conducted in Northern Ireland by the Mental Health Foundation in 2016 show’s poor mental health is 25% more prevalent than that of England by comparison. What is also interesting to note, further research by the Mental Health Foundation found that young veterans are at a higher risk of suicide in the first 2 years after they leave service.
In this course, participants will learn the following:
– The factors that contribute to poor mental health, emotional distress, and suicide.
– The relevance of mental health and emotions to the prevention of suicide.
– A Mental Health First Responder Connect 4-Ways Model.
– Tools and resources for support.
– How to fortify life through self-care.
It is intended that this training programme will support us in our goal to reduce isolation and improve mental health outcomes for veterans and families of veterans through best practice in this field.
The next training sessions will take place on the following dates:
Tandragee Veterans Centre: Friday 21 April 23
Lisburn Royal British Legion: Friday 19 May 23
Limavady Services Club: Friday 9 June 23
If interested in participating in this training, please contact our office via email: commissioner@nivco.co.uk or Telephone: 07971833160
Supporting ‘The Greenfinches’.
NI Veterans Commissioner supports ‘The Greenfinches’.
I was disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised, to learn that Sinn Fein representatives on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council have lodged a ‘call in’ legal challenge to a motion passed by a majority of councillors to pay tribute to the women who served in the the Ulster Defence Regiment, commonly known as the Greenfinches. This summer will mark the 50th anniversary since the first female recruits joined the ranks of the Ulster Defence Regiment. As Veterans Commissioner I will continue to call out this ongoing denigration and demonisation of our Armed Services and veterans, and will call out the misogyny of not recognising the important work of women in our Armed Forces, of which the Greenfinches were instrumental in contributing and expanding the roles available to women in supporting Operations.
Over the course of 22 years, 60,000 men and women wore the uniform of the Ulster Defence Regiment to help protect innocent civilians against the harm of terrorists that brought chaos and murder to our streets during the Troubles. These brave men and women did so with the understanding that their service placed them at risk every hour of every day – there was no respite on duty or off duty or even after they left the Regiment. Greenfinches were an important, unarmed part of providing this protection and sadly, there is a long Roll of Honour for those members of the Regiment who lost their lives at the hands of terrorism, of which four were Greenfinches. In total, 197 UDR soldiers and Greenfinches were killed both on and off duty, as well as over 60 killed after leaving the Regiment. Over 400 were seriously wounded and many still continue to suffer both psychologically and physically as a result of their service.
The brave men and women who served with the Ulster Defence Regiment, did so with great honour and dignity and stood against terrorism and all its horrors, on behalf of all society. I importantly note how families were impacted by terrorism, needing to check cars for bombs before getting in, and worried incase their loved ones might not return home after their shift. Many unfortunately still bear the pain of losing family members, whether as a member of the security services or indeed families from the innocent civilian population.
In 2006, when Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, came to Belfast to present the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross to the Ulster Defence Regiment she said that the contribution of the Regiment to peace and stability within Northern Ireland had been unique and had required ‘uncommon courage and conviction’. Her Majesty reflected that ‘no challenge faced by the Ulster Defence Regiment went unmet, whatever the personal cost’.
Society should know and have the opportunity to recognise the extraordinary contribution these men and women have already made – and how they continue to do so to the present day.
I will recall one verse from a poem entitled ‘WUDR’, first published in 1983, that aptly summarises who the Greenfinches were:
‘We are the girls of the WUDR, Greenfinches is our common name,
But not one girl in the WUDR, is seeking fame or fortune,
For everyone in the WUDR, is willing to give a helping hand,
To help our country in its fight, and bring peace to our beloved land.’
As the voice for all veterans living in Northern Ireland, I will continue to speak up for them and again I pay tribute to the men and women who served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces, including the former members of the Ulster Defence Regiment CGC, ever remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country. Society owes deep thanks and gratitude to all of our Armed Forces veterans and their service should never be rewritten as anything other than duty and protection against the evils of terrorism.
Danny Kinahan
NI Veterans Commissioner
14 February 2023
Ballyclare UDR Memorial
Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) Memorial at Ballyclare War Memorial Park
A UDR Memorial was unveiled in a special service of dedication at Ballyclare War Memorial Park on Thursday 27 May. The service, led by Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim , Mr Edward Montgomery MBE, DL and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Jim Montgomery, paid tribute to The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR), an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1970-1992.
Amongst esteemed guests attending the service was Veterans Commissioner, Danny Kinahan DL, who was instrumental in this memorial. It was as a result of Danny’s motion to the Council in early 2020, whilst serving as an elected Member for Ballyclare and prior to taking up his new role, that the memorial was installed.
The Mayor, Councillor Jim Montgomery said; “It is fitting in the NI Centenary year that we pay tribute to this Northern Irish regiment for their years of service and the efforts they made to keep Northern Ireland safe during turbulent times. In particular, this memorial remembers all those who made the supreme sacrifice and lost their lives in and beyond service”.
Veterans Commissioner Danny Kinahan, DL added; “It is an honour to be present at the unveiling of this memorial to the Ulster Defence Regiment. Having first proposed that a memorial be established in Ballyclare during my time as a Councillor, it is a privilege to be here in my current role as Northern Ireland’s first Veterans Commissioner. It is important that this memorial highlights the tremendous contribution that the men and women of the Ulster Defence Regiment made during its 22 year history”.
In 1992, the UDR was amalgamated with the Royal Irish Rangers to form the Royal Irish Regiment. In 2006, the regiment was retroactively awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.