Daniel McCann facts for kids

Daniel McCann (born November 30, 1957 – died March 6, 1988) was a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). He was shot in Gibraltar by the British Army in 1988. At the time, he was believed to be involved in a plan to use a car bomb.

Early Life and Involvement

Daniel McCann grew up in the Clonard area of West Belfast. His family had a background in Irish republican politics. He went to St Gall's Primary School and St Mary's Grammar School in Belfast.

McCann did not finish his schooling. He was arrested after being involved in rioting. He was later sentenced to six months in prison for "riotous behaviour." After this, McCann joined the Provisional IRA. He was later imprisoned again for having explosives.

Events in Gibraltar

In 1988, Daniel McCann, along with two other IRA members, Mairead Farrell and Sean Savage, went to Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a British territory. Their goal was to place a bomb in the town. The bomb was meant to target a British Army band. This band paraded weekly during the changing of the guard ceremony.

The British Government knew about this plan beforehand. They sent a special British Army team to Gibraltar to stop the IRA members. On March 6, 1988, McCann, Savage, and Farrell were doing a reconnaissance trip. This means they were checking out the area. Soldiers from the Special Air Service (SAS), who were dressed in regular clothes, approached them.

McCann was shot five times at close range. The SAS soldiers later said he made an "aggressive move." Farrell, who was with McCann, was also shot and killed. Savage was walking a bit behind them. When he saw what was happening, he ran. An SAS soldier chased him and shot him too. All three IRA members were later found to be unarmed.

Two days after these events, Spanish police found a car bomb in Spain. It was about 36 miles from Gibraltar. This bomb was believed to have been prepared by McCann, Savage, and Farrell. It contained about 140 lb (64 kg) of Semtex, a type of explosive. It also had a device timed to explode during the changing of the guard ceremony in Gibraltar.

Aftermath and Documentary

Soon after the events in Gibraltar, a documentary called Death on the Rock was made. It was shown on British television. The documentary looked into the actions of the British and Spanish governments. It also covered the IRA team's plan. The British government had called this operation Operation Flavius.

The documentary interviewed people who saw the shootings. These eyewitness accounts raised questions. They made people wonder if the IRA members were given a chance to surrender. They also questioned if the amount of force used was necessary. This was at a time when there were rumors of a "Shoot to Kill" policy. This policy was supposedly used by the British Government against the Provisional IRA during The Troubles.

Funeral and Attack

A funeral was held on March 16, 1988, for Daniel McCann, Sean Savage, and Mairead Farrell. It took place at the IRA plot in Milltown Cemetery in West Belfast. As their bodies were being lowered into the ground, a hand-grenade attack happened. A single Loyalist paramilitary attacked the funeral party.

The funeral quickly became very chaotic. The attacker fired a handgun and threw more grenades. A group of mourners chased him through the cemetery. During this incident, three mourners were killed. Many others were injured.

See also

• Mairéad Farrell
• Sean Savage
• Death on the Rock - documentary about the shootings.