On This Day / March 6, 1971
Go BackReproduced with permission from The Irish News.
19710306
Reference Date
19710306
Publication Date
Listen Along in Éamons Voice
Summary: On This Day – 11 March 1971, three young Scottish soldiers were murdered near Belfast’s Ligoniel district, while accusations of discrimination in employment were raised at Belfast Corporation. Edited by Éamon Phoenix.
3 Soldiers Slain | On This Day – 11th March 1971
THREE young Scots soldiers, including two brothers, were shot dead through the head in a horror slaying in the village of Ligoniel, about three miles from Belfast, last night.
Their bodies, bundled on top of one another, were found in a small roadway at White Brae, Squire’s Hill.
They were later identified as Fusilier John McCaig; his brother, Fusilier Joseph McCaig, both from Ayr; and Fusilier Dougal McCaughey from Glasgow.
All were in their early twenties. Their bodies were discovered after local residents reported hearing at least five shots.
This morning, the Provisional wing of the IRA said none of their units were involved in the killings.
A spokesman said: ‘We have checked with all our units in Belfast and wish to state that none of them carried out any actions last night.’
The Official group of the Movement also disclaimed responsibility.
The soldiers were off-duty Royal Highland Fusiliers in civilian clothes but it was not clear early today what the circumstances were leading up to the killings.
One report said the soldiers had been ordered out of a local pub at gunpoint and taken a short distance up a small, narrow link-road when they were shot through the head.
The slayings brought reactions of shock and horror from the Stormont Prime Minster, Mr Chichester-Clark who is expected back in Belfast today from London where he has been on official business. The Chief Constable, Mr Graham Shillington also expressed his shock and horror.
The Central Citizens’ Defence Committee said: ‘Strong enough words cannot be found to express the horror and revulsion of all decent people at the foul murder of three young soldiers last night…. [Their murderers] are Godless monsters.’
An Army officer at the scene said the soldiers were deliberately murdered. ‘The men were lured to their deaths and then shot. Obviously they never had a chance.’
Discrimination under Corporation
REPUBLICAN Labour Councillor James O’Kane has accused Belfast Corporation Electricity Department of discrimination against Catholics in employment. These are the numbers holding positions in the various sections of the Department, the first figures represent Protestants, the second Catholics:
Meter inspectors – 91, 4
Installation Department – 40, 3
Testers – 11, 1
Clerical staff – 200, 4
Power Station West – 450, 10
Power Station East – 194, 6.
(Éamon Phoenix editor’s note: The brutal murders of three young off-duty Scottish soldiers, lured to their deaths from a city centre pub 50 years ago today, shocked the entire community.
The incident signalled the north’s descent into total violence. Despite denials, the Provisional IRA were responsible.)
On This Day – 11th March 1971
Further Reading on Irish History:
List of other On This Day columns
Other resources: National Library of Ireland Irish News CAIN Archive
19710306
Reference Date
19710306
Publication Date
Listen Along in Éamons Voice
Listen Along in Éamons Voice
Summary: On This Day – 11 March 1971, three young Scottish soldiers were murdered near Belfast’s Ligoniel district, while accusations of discrimination in employment were raised at Belfast Corporation. Edited by Éamon Phoenix.
3 Soldiers Slain | On This Day – 11th March 1971
THREE young Scots soldiers, including two brothers, were shot dead through the head in a horror slaying in the village of Ligoniel, about three miles from Belfast, last night.
Their bodies, bundled on top of one another, were found in a small roadway at White Brae, Squire’s Hill.
They were later identified as Fusilier John McCaig; his brother, Fusilier Joseph McCaig, both from Ayr; and Fusilier Dougal McCaughey from Glasgow.
All were in their early twenties. Their bodies were discovered after local residents reported hearing at least five shots.
This morning, the Provisional wing of the IRA said none of their units were involved in the killings.
A spokesman said: ‘We have checked with all our units in Belfast and wish to state that none of them carried out any actions last night.’
The Official group of the Movement also disclaimed responsibility.
The soldiers were off-duty Royal Highland Fusiliers in civilian clothes but it was not clear early today what the circumstances were leading up to the killings.
One report said the soldiers had been ordered out of a local pub at gunpoint and taken a short distance up a small, narrow link-road when they were shot through the head.
The slayings brought reactions of shock and horror from the Stormont Prime Minster, Mr Chichester-Clark who is expected back in Belfast today from London where he has been on official business. The Chief Constable, Mr Graham Shillington also expressed his shock and horror.
The Central Citizens’ Defence Committee said: ‘Strong enough words cannot be found to express the horror and revulsion of all decent people at the foul murder of three young soldiers last night…. [Their murderers] are Godless monsters.’
An Army officer at the scene said the soldiers were deliberately murdered. ‘The men were lured to their deaths and then shot. Obviously they never had a chance.’
Discrimination under Corporation
REPUBLICAN Labour Councillor James O’Kane has accused Belfast Corporation Electricity Department of discrimination against Catholics in employment. These are the numbers holding positions in the various sections of the Department, the first figures represent Protestants, the second Catholics:
Meter inspectors – 91, 4
Installation Department – 40, 3
Testers – 11, 1
Clerical staff – 200, 4
Power Station West – 450, 10
Power Station East – 194, 6.
(Éamon Phoenix editor’s note: The brutal murders of three young off-duty Scottish soldiers, lured to their deaths from a city centre pub 50 years ago today, shocked the entire community.
The incident signalled the north’s descent into total violence. Despite denials, the Provisional IRA were responsible.)
On This Day – 11th March 1971
Further Reading on Irish History:
List of other On This Day columns
Other resources: National Library of Ireland Irish News CAIN Archive
19710306
Reference Date
March 6, 2021
Publication Date
Listen Along in Éamons Voice *
Summary: On This Day – 11 March 1971, three young Scottish soldiers were murdered near Belfast’s Ligoniel district, while accusations of discrimination in employment were raised at Belfast Corporation. Edited by Éamon Phoenix.
3 Soldiers Slain | On This Day – 11th March 1971
THREE young Scots soldiers, including two brothers, were shot dead through the head in a horror slaying in the village of Ligoniel, about three miles from Belfast, last night.
Their bodies, bundled on top of one another, were found in a small roadway at White Brae, Squire’s Hill.
They were later identified as Fusilier John McCaig; his brother, Fusilier Joseph McCaig, both from Ayr; and Fusilier Dougal McCaughey from Glasgow.
All were in their early twenties. Their bodies were discovered after local residents reported hearing at least five shots.
This morning, the Provisional wing of the IRA said none of their units were involved in the killings.
A spokesman said: ‘We have checked with all our units in Belfast and wish to state that none of them carried out any actions last night.’
The Official group of the Movement also disclaimed responsibility.
The soldiers were off-duty Royal Highland Fusiliers in civilian clothes but it was not clear early today what the circumstances were leading up to the killings.
One report said the soldiers had been ordered out of a local pub at gunpoint and taken a short distance up a small, narrow link-road when they were shot through the head.
The slayings brought reactions of shock and horror from the Stormont Prime Minster, Mr Chichester-Clark who is expected back in Belfast today from London where he has been on official business. The Chief Constable, Mr Graham Shillington also expressed his shock and horror.
The Central Citizens’ Defence Committee said: ‘Strong enough words cannot be found to express the horror and revulsion of all decent people at the foul murder of three young soldiers last night…. [Their murderers] are Godless monsters.’
An Army officer at the scene said the soldiers were deliberately murdered. ‘The men were lured to their deaths and then shot. Obviously they never had a chance.’
Discrimination under Corporation
REPUBLICAN Labour Councillor James O’Kane has accused Belfast Corporation Electricity Department of discrimination against Catholics in employment. These are the numbers holding positions in the various sections of the Department, the first figures represent Protestants, the second Catholics:
Meter inspectors – 91, 4
Installation Department – 40, 3
Testers – 11, 1
Clerical staff – 200, 4
Power Station West – 450, 10
Power Station East – 194, 6.
(Éamon Phoenix editor’s note: The brutal murders of three young off-duty Scottish soldiers, lured to their deaths from a city centre pub 50 years ago today, shocked the entire community.
The incident signalled the north’s descent into total violence. Despite denials, the Provisional IRA were responsible.)
On This Day – 11th March 1971
Further Reading on Irish History:
List of other On This Day columns
Other resources: National Library of Ireland Irish News CAIN Archive
On This Day is a daily column in the Irish News looking back either 50 or 100 years. The column was compiled by Dr Éamon Phoenix from the mid 1980s until autumn, 2022. The Foundation is very grateful to the Irish News for giving permission to reproduce Eamon’s columns. Funding gratefully received from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and the Magill Trust.
* The Foundation has worked hard to recreate Eamon’s distinctive voice through AI. Since this is an emerging technology, occasional imperfections may be audible.