Bomb attacks were a horrific and frightening part of Irish life during the Northern Ireland Troubles. In the early years of the conflict, paramilitary use of explosives spread fear North and South. During the 1970’s and 1980’s bombs and their threat caused fear, damage and death. Bombs detonated near or south of the Border would prove an increasing wake-up call to the dangers of political and social conflict island-wide.
This new six-part documentary series will tell stories of paramilitary bombings as they began to impact on life in the Republic. Included are: the 1972 border killing of Irish Garda Inspector, Sam Donegan; the 1972 Dublin murders of two CIE bus drivers, Tommy Duffy and George Bradshaw; the 1974 Dublin bombings that killed 28 people; the 1975 failed bomb plant that led to the murder of Miami Showband musicians; the 1976 assassination of British Ambassador, Christopher Ewart-Biggs outside Dublin; and the 1987 border bombing of Judge Gibson and his wife, Cecily.
Episode 4 – Miami Showband
For years during the Troubles, Irish showbands — often made up of musicians from North and South — believed they operated outside the political and sectarian divisions. So, the cold-blooded murder of three members of the Miami Showband in July 1975 was particularly shocking. Stephen Travers, bass player, miraculously survived the explosion — as well as the sectarian shooting that followed. Thirty years later, he struggles to come to terms with the death of his three Miami friends.