By Lesley Walsh
A MEMORIAL to four UDR men killed in a massive IRA bomb has been unveiled at Ards Bowling Club, providing a ‘living tribute’ to the memories of the soldiers.
John Bradley (25), John Birch (28), Stephen Smart (23) and Michael Adams (23) were killed in a 1,000lb IRA landmine attack on the outskirts of Downpatrick on April 9, 1990. Their names have been committed to a memorial bench which on Saturday was unveiled at the bowling club’s South Street base.
The placing of the bench is the latest initiative spearheaded by North Down Football Club which last year embarked on an initiative to transform a memorial at the scene of the horrific attack.
The soldiers were part of a two vehicle patrol driving from Ballykinlar to Downpatrick when the bomb, which had been hidden in a culvert beneath the Ballydugan Road, was detonated by IRA terrorists who were hiding in nearby bushes.
The enormous blast hurled the Land Rover 30 yards into a nearby field, leaving a 15 foot deep crater in the road.
Four soldiers travelling in the first Land Rover, survived the blast, although they did suffer injuries as did two passing motorists.
A scrambler used by the terrorists to flee the scene was later found in the Model Farm housing estate in Downpatrick.
No-one was ever charged with the attack, however it is widely believed that one of those was Colm Marks, an IRA terrorist who was sent to Downpatrick to increase IRA attacks but who was himself shot dead by undercover police officers as he tried to mount a mortar attack in the town the following year.
In addition to the memorial at the scene of the attack, one of the worst inflicted on the UDR during the Troubles, a permanent memorial will be unveiled at Newtownards War Memorial garden later this month.
The memorial bench is the latest measure to keep alive the memories of the soldiers and follows the refurbishment of a stone memorial tribute at the Ballydugan blast site carried out by North Down Football Club, the UDR Benevolent Fund and the Downpatrick Royal British Legion, including a fence and gate and regular maintenance. Newtownards councillor, Steven Irvine, attended the unveiling of the bench and spoke of his pride at the work that flowed from a collaboration of local clubs.
“It has been an honour to work alongside the families over the past few months in partnership with the council,” said Mr Irvine. “This is the first project to come to fruition, a lasting memorial bench that now has a permanent home at Ards Bowling Club,” he said.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to stand here today and congratulate North Down Football Club on their selfless initiative in creating and caring for the Ballyduggan Four garden. This project is far more than a physical space, it is a living tribute, a place of reflection, and a powerful reminder of four heroes who must never be forgotten.”
The councillor praised the ‘dedication, care, and hard work that have gone into this memorial’, stating it ‘speaks volumes about the character and values of everyone involved’.
“It shows what can be achieved when a community comes together, not just to remember, but to honour with dignity and purpose,” Mr Irvine continued. The local politician said the ‘beautiful bench’ marks a fitting and ‘meaningful’ memorial for the whole community.
“I also want to acknowledge the beautiful bench that has been created as part of this tribute, now being placed at Ards Bowling Club. This is a wonderful addition, somewhere people can sit, reflect, and remember. My sincere thanks go to everyone at Ards Bowling Club for their support and for providing a fitting home for such a meaningful piece.
“It is another example of community spirit at its very best,” he added.
Commending North Down Football Club and committee member Mark Smith for ‘allowing me to play even a small part in this meaningful tribute’, Mr Irvine said it was ‘something I will carry with me with great pride’, stating this occasion ‘stands apart’ from the many memorable events he has attended.
“This is something deeply significant, something truly poignant, because it speaks not just to sport, but to humanity, respect, and remembrance,” he said.
He concluded: “We cannot, and must not, forget the despicable acts from our past. But what we can do is learn from them, honour those we lost, and continue moving forward together with compassion and unity.
“We recognise not only the memory of the Ballydugan Four, but also the strength of a community determined to ensure their legacy lives on.”
