A survivor of the Miami Showband massacre has ‘no doubt’ former British soldier Robert Nairac was involved in organising the massacre.
Three members of the popular showband were killed when their minibus was stopped at a bogus UDR check point near Banbridge in Co Down on July 31 1975.
The attack was carried out by members the Glenanne Gang, which included RUC, UDR and UVF personnel.
The band members who died included singer Fran O’Toole, guitarist Tony Geraghty and trumpeter Brian McCoy.
The Miami Showband before the murderous attack by loyalists. The survivors were Ray Millar (3rd left), Des Lee (4th from left ) and Stephen Travers (far right)
One of Ireland’s most popular acts at the time, the band members were murdered as they travelled home to Dublin after a gig in Banbridge.
Two loyalists Harris Boyle and Wesley Somerville, who were members of the UDR, also died when the bomb they were planting on the band’s bus exploded prematurely.
In 2020, the Irish News revealed that previously unseen British army intelligence documents linked undercover soldier Captain Robert Nairac to the showband Massacre.
A report in the Irish News in 2020
Mr Nairac was abducted and killed by the IRA in 1977 and his body has never been found.
A search for his remains, carried out at Faughart, near Dundalk, last year was unsuccessful.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) papers were disclosed as part of legal proceedings several years ago.
It is understood the redacted documents contain suggestions that Captain Nairac obtained equipment and uniforms for the killers.
The file also claims the British solider was responsible for the planning and execution of the attack.
Survivors, including justice campaigner Stephen Travers, have previously said a member of the killer gang spoke with an English accent.
In his 2015 book about the life of Captain Nairac, Alistair Kerr claimed Mr Nairac went on leave to Scotland on the same day as the Miami massacre.
Another survivor Des Lee, also known as Des McAlea, has repeated the Nairac claim in a new book, My Saxophone Saved my Life, which was launched this week.
Former Miami Showband member Des Lee.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Speaking to The Irish News, he remains convinced of Nairac’s involvement.
“In my book we have proved beyond a shadow of doubt Captain Rober Nairac planned, executed, was responsible for getting the weaponry, transport, the making of the 10lb bomb, the uniforms,” he said.
“He was responsible from start to finish in the planning of the Miami massacre and we have proven that beyond a shadow of a doubt.”
Mr Lee said both he and his co-author Ken Murray have seen the MoD document.
“How much more do we need to explore, Nairac was there on the night,” he said.
“We don’t need to explore any more, we’ve gone out of our way over the last 45 years to prove this man was involved.”
He said the British army is reluctant to admit Mr Nairac’s alleged involvement in the attack.
“We have got to the bottom of it, the British have always denied it, and will continue to deny it for the obvious reason – they don’t want to admit that a member of their military forces was involved in the massacre of the Miami Showband.
“That would be such a bad mark on the British government and the British army.”
Earlier this year Mr Lee issued a legal papers in a bid to be allowed to use the document in ongoing correspondence with RTÉ.
In August last year 2024 it aired a documentary that featured a lead investigator in the search for remains of people ‘disappeared’ during the Troubles, stating there was no evidence that Mr Nairac was involved.
Stephen Travers.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Mr Travers, whose new book The Bass Player – Anthem for the Innocent is due to be published later this year, believes the document is a matter of public interest”.
“All I can say is that I have seen the document and it’s an MoD document, I can certainly say that,” he said.
“We have applied to have the non-disclosure (agreement) removed, they wouldn’t allow me to get court documents or files unless I signed something that said I wouldn’t disclose them without permission from the court.”
Solicitor Kevin Winters, of KRW Law, said “the case for full disclosure of this document is now overwhelming.
“Transparency is the best antidote to suspicion and can only but help suppress conspiracy theories.”
Mr Travers believes Thursday’s landmark 50th anniversary, which includes a commemoration at the attack site, is “more a celebration of the lads lives and a celebration of our place in history (rather) than looking back and feeling sad about it”.
“We are just going to talk about what the lads achieved, what the band achieved and mainly the fact that during the darkest times of recent Irish history that we were bringing people together and that’s what makes us very proud,” he said.
“It’s the legacy of the Miami Showband that we are concentrating on.”
Mr Travers said it is important to return to the scene of the deadly attack.
“It’s necessary to back there, not only for ourselves but for young people who now and again their blood gets up and they want to go out and fight e the whole world,” he said.
“But I think it’s important for them to know how these things end up and how it affects families on both sides and how it destroys families.
“When you consider that it achieved nothing, Seamus Mallon was right, the violence didn’t change the course of Irish history, if it was on a trajectory, it simply delayed it.”
Grenadier Guards Captain Robert Nairac’s body has never been found (PA/PA)
The Miami commemoration will take place just days before loyalists gather in Portadown to remember Harris Boyle, who was killed by his own bomb during the botched attack.
Mr Travers said he is unconcerned by the planned commemoration event.
“I don’t care what they do, who they commemorate,” he said.
“It’s a reflection of who we are as to who we commemorate and how we commemorate.
“Everybody has a right to commemorate their dead, but I suppose as long as they are respectful, and as long as its dignified and respectful to his victims, because there were a lot of victims.
“I’m not going to lecture anybody.”
Survivors of the massacre, including Mr Travers, will gather at the attack site at Buskhill Road at noon on Thursday.
Similar events will also be held in Newry, Dundalk and Dublin throughout the day.
Meanwhile, the McCoy and O’Toole families will hold a memorial event at Parnell Square in Dublin at 3pm on Saturday.