By Julie Waters
THE lives of local people murdered in the Troubles are set to be honoured when a memorial quilt exhibition goes on display in the Ards and North Down borough.
UDR soldiers, 28 year-old Private John Birch, from Ballywalter and 23 year-old Private Steven Smart, who was born in Newtownards, are honoured in the memorial quilts.
They died, alongside Private David Adams and Lance Corporal John Bradley in a massive IRA bomb, on the outskirts of Downpatrick, on April 9, 1990.
Father and husband John McCready, who grew up in Groomsport and Bangor, was shot by Republican terrorists in Belfast and died 10 days afterwards from his injuries, on February 6, 1976. He is included on one of the quilts.
The quilts, which have been exhibited throughout Northern Ireland, were created by the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), a victims group supporting and advocating on behalf of the victims of terrorism and their families.
Councillors gave their backing to the quilt exhibition coming to Ards and North Down at a meeting of the council’s Place and Prosperity Committee at the request of councillor Wesley Irvine and councillor Steven Irvine.
Councillor Steven Irvine noted the debate was taking place on the 36th anniversary of the murder of the four UDR soldiers, whose images and quilt patches had been shared by SEFF on social media.
The Newtownards councillor said the quilts were ‘more than a collection of stitched panels, it is a powerful, visual testament to human loss, resilience and remembrance’.
He said every piece of the quilt ‘tells a story, every name represents a life that mattered, a family impacted and a community changed’. He said displaying the quilt provided a ‘place of reflection for victims, families and survivors’. Councillor Richard Smart paid tribute to his cousin Private Steven Smart saying he was a ‘dedicated soldier and a Liverpool fan’ who had lost his life alongside his ‘three comrades on that terrible day’.
He described the unveiling of the quilts as ‘emotional to see’ and said it was ‘important’ to share it across the borough, to ‘tell the stories of the people who lost their lives to keep our safety and the hardship some have had to bear and the resilience and fortitude in dealing with that’.
Councillor Smart: “I would be delighted if we could play our part in remembering him and the service and sacrifice of all those who paid the ultimate price or who suffered real physical or mental hardship due to the conflict. It is a welcome intervention for SEFF to make it (the quilt) available to us.”
Alderman Robert Adair commended the councillors for bringing the joint notice of motion, saying the Ards peninsula remembered the anniversary of the ‘Ballydugan Four’, in particular the loss of Private John Birch who had lived in the area.
The DUP alderman said he knew the Birch family personally and he knew the impact his death had not only on his family but also on the wider Ards Peninsula area. He praised SEFF for remembering the innocent victims of violence.
Hailing the role of SEFF as a ‘lifeline charity’ that helps victims rebuild their lives and promotes reconciliation, councillor Wesley Irvine said Mr McCready had been a well respected builder and a part time fireman, who was shot four times as he made his way home from a Masonic meeting.
The independent councillor said Mr McCready was also a drummer in the Cleland Memorial Pipe Band, as well as a member of a local Orange lodge. Mr Irvine said the council’s support for the exhibition was important to the McCready family, including his son Martyn.
