Wesley Somerville was killed by his own bomb in 1975 attack
By Connla Young, Crime and Security Correspondent
January 24, 2025 at 6:00am GMT
Dozens of bands are planning to attend a memorial parade for a notorious loyalist linked to the Glenanne gang.
Wesley Somerville died when his own bomb exploded as he attempted to murder members of the Miami Showband in July 1975.
Three members of the band also lost their lives when the minibus they were travelling on was stopped at a bogus UDR checkpoint near Banbridge, Co Down, as they made their way towards the border almost 50 years ago.
Somerville and accomplice Harris Boyle, who were both members of the UDR, died when the bomb they were planting on the minibus exploded prematurely.
Other loyalists then opened fire, killing several members of the well-known band, including lead singer Fran O’Toole.
The attack was carried out by members the Glenanne Gang, which included RUC, UDR and UVF personnel.
After the deaths of Somerville and Boyle a UVF linked publication, Combat, carried a UDR sympathy note from Lurgan, Portadown and Dungannon UDR Centres stating they “deeply regret the tragic deaths of their colleagues-in-arms, Major Harris Boyle and Lieutenant Wesley Sommerville (sic)”.
Somerville’s brother John was later convicted for his part in the Miami attack and murder of Patrick Falls, near Coalisland, in November 1974.
Wesley Somerville is also suspected of involvement in the killing of Mr Falls.
Dozens of bands from across the north are expected to gather in Somerville’s home village Moygashel, Co Tyrone, for a “memorial parade and social evening” on April 12.
A message circulated on social media includes a UVF flag and logo attached to a poppy wreath.
A notification on the Parades Commission website site for a “Moygashel Memorial Parade” reveals that 30 bands are expected to attend the event, which organisers say will include 200 participants and 100 supporters.
Among the bands listed to attend is the “Regimental Band Ulster Volunteer Force East Belfast” along with several from Co Tyrone including Pomeroy True Blues Flute Band.
Former Miami Showband member Stephen Travers survived the attack that claimed the lives of his friends
“Let them go ahead, I have no objection, it reflects on them far more than it reflects on us,” he said.
“I wouldn’t even object to it, what’s the point?
“They want to honour their dead and they are entitled to do that.
“But at the end of the day we are reflected in our heroes and if that’s who they want to be associated with, well, God help them.”
In the past relatives of people killed by the UVF have called for an images of Somerville and signs glorifying the UVF, which are hung from a lamppost in Moygashel, every year, to be removed.
The loyalist village has a history of racism and religious intolerance.
SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn said: “Everybody has a right to remember their dead but considering what he was involved in, and been accused of, and knowing the impact felt by victims this event is bound to cause hurt and offence.
Mr Quinn urged organisers to “consider the impact it has on the wider community”.
“It’s 2025, it’s time to start thinking less about our past and more about our future.”
by pickneyboy3000
20 comments
So loyalists are getting together to celebrate about a guy who killed members of an Irish band in a terrorist attack? Sound like a lovely bunch of people
” The attack was carried out by members the Glenanne Gang, which included RUC, UDR and UVF personnel.
A message circulated on social media includes a UVF flag and logo attached to a poppy wreath. ”
why dont you wear a poppy, why dont you respect the psni ^^
These groups have no shame. Victims of the killings here should be the ones getting these memorials.
I wonder if wee Éowyn would come back and blow a few of them tramps away with it.
We can’t even do battle of the bands right.
The only positive part of this is that the dumb cunt blew himself up.
I look forward to Finucane coming out to defend this.
Great response by Steven Travers
Moygashel, the shit smeared arsehole of NI
Bloodthirsty loyalists, they never change. Weird lot.
Steven Travers is right. Let them parade proudly with their paramilitary logos and hold their heads high.
They can share their proud photos and tiktoks and we can all see who these people are and cross the street to avoid them if you see them coming
People here have this weird infatuation with terrorists still, loyalists celebrating bombers, IRA members getting state funerals through West Belfast, Gerry Adams waxing lyrical on IG in front of his IRA shrine. They all live in their own echo chamber so will never change.
I never saw the outrage from aul Jim and his mates about a bunch of people celebrating/commemorating some terrorists
Let them celebrate all they want, just makes it easier to identify who are the scum of the earth.
Bring your kids to celebrate the slaughter of the innocent. Classic Unionism.
The usual on this sub I see selective memory loyalist or republican if you are guilty of this sort of crime you shouldn’t be remembered at all can we agree on that?
I’d love to have http://www.amiacunt.com to keep logs of the people that do this or attend these events. You could look yourself up and find out for sure if your a cunt or not
Moy-gadishu…
A benefit of the Parades Commission regime is that bands attending UVF commemorations like this one have to put their name to it in advance. The more UVF-y among them revel in the association, while the more sneaking regarders turn their social media off for the day, and stick it back on when they’re back with their local lodge and unionist elected reps on a church parade. They’re rarely pulled up on the hypocrisy of it. [Parades Commission ](https://www.paradescommission.org/viewparade.aspx?id=89336)
https://preview.redd.it/my8cd7ome5fe1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d273dc25eda20da9277f0df02b0d505bb9fb3e83
Kinda hate this country for these reasons. Didn’t SF leaders go to a terrorist funeral as well?
Like wtf is with that level of hate, that we all have to suffer cause “christians” decided to have a war here.
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