Ambush at Drumnakilly facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Drumnakilly ambush
Part of the Troubles and Operation Banner
Drumnakilly, close to where the ambush occurred
Date 30 August 1988 Location Drumnakilly, County Tyrone Northern Ireland 54°36′14″N 7°10′08″W / 54.60389°N 7.16889°W / 54.60389; -7.16889 Result British victory
Belligerents
Provisional IRA	United Kingdom • British Army (SAS)
Commanders and leaders
Gerard Harte	Unknown
Strength
3	12
Casualties and losses
3 killed	None

The Ambush at Drumnakilly was an important event that happened in Drumnakilly, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It took place on August 30, 1988, during a time known as The Troubles. In this event, a group from the Provisional IRA (IRA) was surprised and attacked by the British Army.

What Happened Before

• This ambush happened just ten days after another serious event.
• The IRA's East Tyrone Brigade had attacked a British Army bus in Ballygawley, Tyrone.
• That attack, known as the Ballygawley bus bombing, caused 36 injuries and killed 8 soldiers.

The Ambush

• On the afternoon of August 30, 1988, three men from the Provisional IRA's East Tyrone Brigade were involved.
• These men were brothers Gerard (29) and Martin Harte (23), and their brother-in-law Brian Mullan (26).
• They were trying to target a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment.
• This person was off-duty and worked as a delivery lorry driver.
• The IRA group had learned his usual route and schedule.

The Plan

• The IRA team drove a stolen car to the area near Drumnakilly.
• They were looking for the delivery lorry on the road between Omagh and Carrickmore.
• The men wore boiler suits and balaclavas.
• They were armed with two AK-47 rifles and an old British Webley revolver.

The Attack

• They found the lorry stopped along the road.
• A man, who they thought was their target, seemed to be changing a flat tyre.
• As they drove closer, soldiers from the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) suddenly attacked them.
• The SAS soldiers were hidden near the road.
• They opened fire on the IRA car, killing all three men inside.

Aftermath

• People living nearby reported hearing many gunshots.
• Later, 16 bullets were found to have been fired from the IRA's weapons.
• The British Army's weapons fired 220 bullets.
• In 1993, an investigation could not say for sure who shot first.
• This was the worst loss of life for the IRA in Northern Ireland since the Loughgall Ambush.
• That ambush happened a year earlier in May 1987.
• In Loughgall, an eight-man IRA unit was also ambushed and killed.

Songs About the Incident

• Two songs were written to remember this event.
• One song was recorded by a group called "The Irish Brigade."
• Another song was written by Gerry Cunningham.
• This song is used by Ógra Shinn Féin at their yearly remembrance events.